AnalysisofArchBridges

JoeStith,P.E.
BenjaminBlasen,P.E.

Outline
Introduction
DeterminingArchBucklingMethod
ArchTypes

CalculatingArchBucklingCapacity
HistoricalComparison
Questions

Introduction
In2014CH2MHILLwonODOTArchBridge
LoadRatingcontracttodevelopaload
ratingmethodforarchbridgesandload
ratevariousarches.
Whilecalculatingtheaxialcapacity
(AASHTO6.9.4.1.2)ofasteelarch,a
deepertopicofarchbucklingwas
explored.
Alsoappliestoallarches,becausetheEuler
bucklingloadisincludedinthemoment
magnificationequations(AASHTO4.5.3.2.2c)
3

DeterminingArchBucklingMethod

ArchBuckling
AASHTO4.5.3.2.2cprovidesa
referencefortheunsupported
length(lu)andtheeffective
lengthfactor(K)
TabledoesnotincludeTied
Arches

ArchTypes
MomentTiedArch
Archtiecarriesflexureinadditiontotension
Floorbeams connectdirectlytotie
Connectionbetweenarchandtie

TensionTieisstifferthanArchRib

ArchTypes
FixedFixedConcreteArch

ArchTypes
PinnedPinnedConcreteArch

ArchTypes
BowstringArch
TensionTieonlycarriesaxialload
UnsymmetricalFlexurecarriedbyArch
3pinbowstringarch

ArchTypes
MomentTiedArch
MomentTieisstifferthanArchRib
Floorbeams/Deckattachdirectlyto
MomentTie
FlexureinMomentTie

10

MomentMagnification
AASHTOequationsformoment
magnificationandbuckling
factorsarebasedonthe
NettletonpaperArchBridges
ArchBridgesEq.

AASHTOEq.

11

EffectiveLengthFactor
AASHTOvsEurocode32SteelBridges
for3Hinged,2Hinged,andFixed
Twocodesagreeoneffectivelength
factors(K=Beta)

12

InitialConclusions
Thesemethodsareforuniformsection
properties
Thearchendconditionsmustmatch
tables/figures
Ifnot,adetailedbucklinganalysismustbe
performed

13

CalculatingArchBucklingCapacity

14

GeneralEquation
BucklingcontrolsthecapacityforMomentand
Compression(thetwoactionsactingonthe
arches)
Bucklingiscontrolledbytheunsupportedlength
(lu)andtheeffectivelengthfactor(K)

15

Nonlinearpushovervs.Eigenvaluebuckling
analysismethods.
Agreementamongtechnicalpapersandsoftwarecommunity.
Nonlinear buckling analysis is more accurate than eigenvalue analysis because it employs
nonlinear, large-deformation, static analysis to predict buckling loads. Its mode of operation is
very simple: it gradually increases the applied load until a load level is found whereby the
structure becomes unstable.
-ANSYS Tutorials Buckling: http://www.mece.ualberta.ca/tutorials/ansys/IT/Buckling/Buckling.html

Nonlinear buckling analysis provides greater accuracy than elastic formulation (Eigenvalue).
-CSi Knowledge Base: http://wiki.csiamerica.com/display/kb/Eigenvalue+vs.+Nonlinear+buckling+analysis

The nonlinear buckling analysis provides a more accurate indication of buckling than other
methods. A linear bifurcation buckling analysis, usually based on eigenvalue solutions,
oversimplifies buckling behavior and often under- or over-estimates buckling conditions.
-LARSA 4D Documentation Analysis Reference: Larsa_4D.chm::/analysis/nonlinear

For a detailed structural buckling assessment a geometrically nonlinear analyses should be

carried out.
-LUSAS
Finite Element Analysis: http://www.lusas.com/products/information/linear_nonlinear_buckling.html
16

NonlinearPushoverAnalysis
Providearchnodeswithaninitialimperfectionintheshapeofthebuckling
mode.
Applyauniformdistributedloadtothebridgedeck.
UsetheMIDASGeometricNonlinearAnalysisControltograduallyrampup
LoadFactors.
Observethestructuralresponse.
Thebucklingloadistakenastheaxialforceatthequarterpointoftherib
forthestepimmediatelybeforenonrealresultsareobtained.
Just before buckling, small
changes in force will yield rapid
deformations.
LARSA 4D Documentation: Analysis Reference

17

InitialImperfection
Theshape ofthegeometricimperfectionisdeterminedbythefixity
conditionsofthearchattheendsandcenter.

Shapeandamplitudesofimperfectionsforinplanebucklingof
arches.ReproducedfromTableD.8ofEurocode3Part2.

18

InitialImperfection
Themagnitudeofthegeometricimperfectionsareafunctionofthe
allowableconstructiontolerancesfromtheoreticaldimensionsfor
fabricationandconstructionofarchrib.

Shapeandamplitudesofimperfectionsforinplanebucklingof
arches.ReproducedfromTableD.8ofEurocode3Part2.

19

InitialImperfection
Forsteelbridges,theoverall
magnitudeoftheimperfectionis
alsoafunctionofthematerialyield
stressandtheresidualstressesin
thecrosssection(thestructural
imperfections).

Selectionofbucklingcurveforacross
section.ReproducedfromTable6.2of
Eurocode3Part11.
20

InitialImperfection
Forconcretearches,theoverallmagnitudeofthestructuralimperfectionsisa
functionofthearchspanlengthandtypicallyresultsinclassificationc(L/400).
Concretearchesalsorequireareductioninsectionstiffnesstoaccountfor
crackedsectionstiffness..Approximately0.40*EI
Equationreproducedfrom
AASHTOEq.5.7.4.32

Eurocode2 DesignofConcreteStructures,Part2 ConcreteBridges,Section5.2

21

InitialImperfection
Formostcases:

Shapeandamplitudesofimperfectionsforinplanebucklingof
arches.ReproducedfromTableD.8ofEurocode3Part2.

22

InitialImperfection
(ft)

Xcoordinate

Ycoordinate

Zcoordinate

(ft)

(ft)

(ft)

0.00
3.11
4.06
4.68
5.69
10.62
11.58
17.18

583.4953
586.6092
587.5503
588.1766
589.1846
594.112
595.079
600.6737

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

400

23

sin 2

1.839613
3.664345
4.215879
4.557474
5.107373
7.795276
8.283621
11.10892

Imperfection
(ft)
zi
0.0000000
0.0651036
0.0846789
0.0976596
0.1184670
0.2178922
0.2368177
0.3410569

NewZ
(ft)
= Z + zi
1.83961
3.59924
4.13120
4.45981
4.98891
7.57738
8.04680
10.76787

Calculation of new
z-coordinates for initial
displaced shape.

ArchisBuckled,whatshouldIlookat?

24

SelectionofRibQuarterPoint
Axialstressvariesalongtheribattheloadstepofcriticalbucklingload.
Maxatthesupports.
Minusuallyatmidspan.
Quarterpointisgoodaverage.
Quarterpointisalsothelocationof
maximumdisplacement.
Thequarterpointisalsousedby
severaloftheanalysisreferences.

25

AnalysisResults,BeamDiagrams

26

AnalysisResults,BeamDiagrams

27

AnalysisResults,BeamDiagrams

Compression observed throughout rib.

28

AnalysisResults,BeamDiagrams

A portion of the rib has gone into tension.

-Previous step used as buckling capacity.
-Note Step Factor (S.F.) says 304

29

AnalysisResults,Check
Verify with chart of arch quarter-point nodal displacement.
Failure observed at Load Step Factor 304, ok!

30

Collapse occurs when the stiffness matrix of the structure becomes singular and thus
unsolvable. A singular matrix indicates the structure has no predictable deformation
under any loading. LARSA 4D Documentation: Analysis Reference

SincePcr isnowcalculated,generatecapacitycurve.
InteractionCapacity
AASHTO6.9.2.2
CombinedAxialand
Flexure
Capacitiesare
calculatedusing
straincompatibility
withinExcel

LoadRating

31

HistoricalComparison
CavemanBridge

32

HistoricalComparison CavemanBridge
InfluenceLinesforMomentandThrustdevelopedvia
analyticalandgraphicalmethods.
ElasticArchBridges C.B.McCullough&E.S.Thayer,1931
LoadAnalysisMethodforIndeterminateArches
Dividearchribintoaconvenientnumberoflinearincrementsand
determinesectionproperties.
Determinetheelasticcenter.
Constructconjugateredundantcoordinateaxes.
Computethexandycoordinatesforeachlamina.
Computetheinfluencelineordinatesforeachredundant.
Calculateinfluencelinesforbendingmoment,thrust,andshearateach
criticalsection.
Calculatestressesduetodeadandliveload.
Calculatestressesduetoelasticribshortening.
Summarizeloadtables.
33

HistoricalComparison CavemanBridge
GraphicalmethodfortheElasticCenterandconstructionof
InfluenceDiagramforredundantreaction.

34

HistoricalComparison CavemanBridge
FinalInfluenceLineDiagramsforMomentandThrust

35

HistoricalComparison CavemanBridge
LiveLoadDiagramandSummaryTable

36

HistoricalComparison CavemanBridge

37

HistoricalComparison CavemanBridge

38

HistoricalComparison CavemanBridge

39

ThankYou

Questions?