Static Analysis of a Fully Composite Modular Footbridge

Abstract:

The subject of the article is a description of the behaviour of a developed fully composite footbridge structure, with a focus on its subsidiary load-bearing elements. The bridge is built using a modular system, and is designed for temporary use. The load-bearing structure is composed of wall beams acting in the longitudinal plane of the footbridge, along with transversely oriented beam elements that form a basic structural module in the shape of the letter "U". The module's structure is supplemented with stiffening frames at the ends, which prevent horizontal deformations of the wall elements and contribute to the connection of additional modules. The connection of the individual modules is carried out by means of steel tabs in the tensioned and compressed parts of the wall beam and by bolting through the adjacent stiffening frames, thus transferring the shearing force. The walking bridge deck is made up of composite grates with an anti-slip coating, which are placed on pultruded profiles acting in the transverse direction. A numerical model was developed to predict the behaviour of the footbridge, the accuracy of which was verified by comparing the results from a load test that was carried out. The test specimen consisted of four modules, and the total length of the footbridge was approximately 8.0 m. For loading purposes, water tanks (tank capacity 1000 l) were distributed over the entire footbridge area to simulate a uniform area payload. Loading was carried out at three defined levels of design surface load. In addition to the uniform full-area loading, asymmetrically applied loading conditions were also performed.

• Periodical: Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 147)
• Pages: 1-10
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-e4E3JO
• Online since: April 2024
• Authors: David Vašátko*, Pavlina Zlamalova, František Girgle, Vojtěch Kostiha, Petr Štěpánek
• Keywords: Fully Composite Footbridge, Load Test, Modular System

References

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[5] "ČSN 73 6209: Load tests of bridge structures", Sept. 2019. (Original in Czech)