Understanding Skewed Skewed Bridge Behavior

Bridge Behavior • Out-

Out-of-
of-plane effects occur in skewed bridges that cannot be
predicted by one-
one-dimensional (line girder) analysis methods.

• AASHTO/NSBA “Guidelines for Design for Constructability” identifies

identifies
two separate issues:
¾ Intermediate Crossframe Effects
¾ End Crossframe Effects

• Both Intermediate and End Crossframe Effects will be examined

using a test case.

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Test Case: 60° Skew, 150 ft Span Analysis of Test Case, Line Girder Model:
• We will conduct an initial analysis of the test structure using a Line
Girder Model.
• This is the most commonly used analysis method for non-complex
bridges, and is used by many common software packages. (MDX,
Merlin Dash, BARS-PC)
• Each girder is modeled independently, with crossframe effects
FRAMING PLAN ignored.

Line Girder Model:

Mz

TRANSVERSE SECTION

2
 Line Girder Test Structure, Deflection Due to Deck Weight
Line Girder Analysis Results Analysis Results
Crossframe Effects Ignored Crossframe Effects
Ignored

Results Show:
• Large differential
Test Structure, Deflection Due to Deck Weight deflections between
6
interior and exterior
6
5
Interior Girders girders
(G2, G3, G4) Crossframe
5
• Abrupt changes in Locations
4
differential
Deflection (in)

Deflection (in)
3
Exterior Girders deflection across
(G1, G5)
the width of the 3
2 bridge 2
G5 G4 G3 G2 G1
1
1

0
0
0 25 50 75 100 125 150
0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00
Length (ft)
Length (ft)

3
Line Girder Analysis Results Line Girder
Crossframe Effects Ignored Analysis Results D
Crossframe Effects
Test Structure, Differential Deflections at Crossframe Locations: Ignored

D
Framing Plan

Differential Deflection (in)

Girder Deflection (in)

Section D-D
Deflections Exaggerated x 12

4
Line Girder Analysis Results
Crossframe Effects Ignored
Differential Deflection (in)
Deflections
Exaggerated x 12
Intermediate Crossframe Effects
• We will now use a refined method to analyze the test structure
with crossframe effects included.
• All intermediate crossframes are fully connected during the deck
pour (no slotted holes).
• The end crossframes will be removed in order to isolate
intermediate crossframe effects.
Girder Deflection (in) • The behavior of the bridge will be examined under wet concrete
Section A-A load only.

• Problem: If the girders are assumed to stay vertical, the

crossframes will not permit differential deflections of this
magnitude.
• Conclusion: Crossframe interaction needs to be included to
accurately model structure behavior.
FRAMING PLAN

5
ODOT Standard Crossframe:

Lengthened

Shortened

• Differential vertical deflection causes crossframes to deform if the

• Typical crossframes restrain girders against differential girders do not twist.
deflection and differential twist.
twist.
• Large forces are needed to create axial deformations in the
crossframe members, so resistance to this type of deflection is
very high.

6
 Analysis of Test Case, Refined Model:
• In order to include crossframe effects in the analysis, we will need to
use a Refined Model.
Undeformed
• Refined Model is a general term we will use to refer to any analysis
that includes both the girders and the crossframes.
• Refined Models will be discussed in more detail in another
presentation.
Undeformed

Refined Model:

• Twisting of the girders allows differential deflection to occur

without deforming the crossframe.
• Generally, the torsional stiffness of the girders is low compared
compared
to the stiffness of the crossframes, so this behavior is dominant.
dominant.

7
Refined Analysis Test Structure, Deflection Due to Deck Weight
Test Structure, Deflection Due to Deck Weight
Results 6

Intermediate Line Girder 5

Crossframe Effects Analysis Results
4
Crossframe Effects

Deflection (in)
Included
Ignored 3

Results Show: 2
G5 G4 G3 G2 G1

1
• More uniform
differential deflection 0
0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00
across the width of 6
Length (ft)
the bridge at Crossframe 6
5
crossframe locations Locations Refined Analysis
5
(compared to line 4 Results
Deflection (in)

girder analysis) Intermediate 4

Deflection (in)
3
Crossframe Effects 3
2
G5 G4 G3 G2 G1
Included 2
G5 G4 G3 G2 G1
1
1

0 0
0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00

Length (ft) Length (ft)

8
Refined Analysis Results Refined Analysis
Intermediate Crossframe Effects Included Results D
Intermediate
Test Structure, Differential Deflections at Crossframe Locations: Crossframe Effects
Included

D
Framing Plan

Differential Deflection (in)

Girder Deflection (in)

Section D-D
Deflections Exaggerated x 12

9
 Differential Deflection (in) Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects
Line Girder
Analysis Results • The analysis results show that intermediate crossframe effects
Crossframe Effects cause girder twist in skewed structures.
Ignored
• The next several slides will step though the deflection of the test
test
structure at each crossframe location.
Girder Deflection (in)
Section D-D

Differential Deflection (in)

Refined Analysis
Results
Intermediate
Crossframe Effects
Included

Girder Deflection (in)

Section D-D Deflections

Exaggerated x 12

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Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis): Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis):

A B

A
B
Differential
Differential
Vertical
Vertical
Deflection
Deflection
(inches)
(inches)

Section A-A Deflections Section B-B Deflections

Exaggerated x 12 Exaggerated x 12

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Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis): Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis):

C D

D
C

Differential
Differential
Vertical
Vertical
Deflection
Deflection
(inches)
(inches)

Section C-C Deflections

Section D-D Deflections
Exaggerated x 12 Exaggerated x 12

12
Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis): Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis):

E F

E
F

Differential Differential
Vertical Vertical
Deflection Deflection
(inches) (inches)

Section E-E Deflections Section F-F Deflections

Exaggerated x 12 Exaggerated x 12

13
Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis): Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis):
H
G

G H
Differential Differential
Vertical Vertical
Deflection Deflection
(inches) (inches)

Section G-G Section H-H

Deflections Deflections
Exaggerated x 12 Exaggerated x 12

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Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis): Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis):
J
K

Differential J K
Differential
Vertical Vertical
Deflection Deflection
(inches) (inches)

Section J-J Section K-K

Deflections Deflections
Exaggerated x 12 Exaggerated x 12

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Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis): Deflected Shape Due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects (Refined Analysis):

L M

L M
Differential
Vertical Differential
Deflection Vertical
(inches) Deflection
(inches)

Section L-L Section M-M

Deflections Deflections
Exaggerated x 12 Exaggerated x 12

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Animation of Deflection Under Wet Concrete Load with Deflected Shape Under Wet Concrete Load with Intermediate
Intermediate Crossframe Effects Included (Exaggerated Scale): Crossframe Effects Included (Exaggerated Scale):

17
Girder Twist due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects
• In a single span skewed structure, twist is generally highest at the supports.
• End twist for the test case is shown below.
Definition of Girder Twist φ :
Support Reactions due to Intermediate Crossframe Effects
• Intermediate crossframe effects cause vertical support
reactions to be concentrated at the obtuse corners of a
skewed structure.
• Significant redistribution of reactions occurs throughout
the structure.

Test Structure, Refined Analysis, Intermediate Crossframes Only:

HIGH REACTIONS
Forward

Sign Convention: (+ Clockwise, Looking Forward - Counterclockwise, Looking Forward)

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Support Reactions Due to Wet Concrete Weight, Refined Analysis:
Conclusions for Intermediate Crossframe Effects:
Forward
Bearings • There are natural differences in dead load deflections at
(Exp.) opposite ends of intermediate crossframes in skewed
Rear structures.
Bearings
(Fixed) • Differential deflections occurring at intermediate crossframe
locations cause girders to twist.
• Intermediate crossframe effects must be included in analysis of
Rear Bearings Forward Bearings
(Fixed) (Exp.)
highly skewed structures in order to accurately predict behavior.
behavior.

Undeformed

Undeformed

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End Crossframe Effects End Crossframe Effects
• End crossframes produce twisting effects that are independent of • To illustrate end crossframe behavior, we will examine a 2-girder
the intermediate crossframe behavior. structure with end crossframes only (no intermediate bracing).

End
Crossframe

End Crossframe:
Diagonals End Armor

PLAN VIEW

Bottom Chord

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2-Girder Structure: 2-Girder Structure:
The end crossframe is
oriented on the skew
and connects the
bearing points of the
adjacent girders.

PLAN VIEW (PARTIAL)

ISOMETRIC VIEW (PARTIAL)

• The end diaphragm can be thought of as a pair of rigid links

connecting the top flange of one girder to the bottom flange of the
adjacent girders.
ISOMETRIC VIEW (PARTIAL)

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Deflection of a Cambered Girder: 2-Girder Structure:

GIRDER A

GIRDER B

∆x

PLAN VIEW (PARTIAL)

• When a girder deflects, the top flange moves longitudinally • The end crossframe of a skewed structure restrains the
relative to the bottom flange at the beam ends. We will define longitudinal translation of the top flange.
this distance as ∆.

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2-Girder Structure: 2-Girder Structure:

GIRDER A
GIRDER A

∆x

∆y
GIRDER B
GIRDER B

∆x
∆y

PLAN VIEW (PARTIAL)

PLAN VIEW (PARTIAL)

• The end crossframe forces the top flange to move radially • A similar effect occurs in the adjacent girder
about the adjacent bearing point. The resulting motion
produces twist in the girders.

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2-Girder Structure: End Crossframe Effects
• We will now perform a refined analysis of the test structure with
end crossframe effects included.
• All end crossframes are fully connected during the deck pour (no
GIRDER A
slotted holes).
• The intermediate crossframes will be removed in order to isolate
∆x
∆y

end crossframe effects.

• The behavior of the bridge will be examined under wet concrete
load only.
GIRDER B

∆x
∆y

PLAN VIEW (PARTIAL)

• The movement of the top flange is approximately

perpendicular to the centerline of bearings.
FRAMING PLAN

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Girder Twist Due to End Crossframe Effects:
• By cutting sections along the length of the bridge it can be shown
that the twist caused by end crossframe effects is very similar to
that caused by intermediate crossframe effects.
D
Girder Twist Due to End Crossframe Effects:
• By cutting sections along the length of the bridge it can be shown
that the twist caused by end crossframe effects is very similar to
that caused by intermediate crossframe effects.
J

D J
Framing Plan Framing Plan

Section D-D Section J-J

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Animation of Deflection Under Wet Concrete Load with Deflected Shape Under Wet Concrete Load with End
End Crossframe Effects Only (Exaggerated Scale): Crossframe Effects Only (Exaggerated Scale):

26
Test Structure, Girder End Twist End Crossframe Support Reactions
End Crossframes Only: • End crossframe effects do not cause redistribution of vertical reactions,
reactions, but
Forward they do produce horizontal loads on restrained bearings.
• For the test case, the rear abutment bearings are fully restrained
restrained against
translation, and the forward abutment bearings are free to move
longitudinally but restrained laterally.
• The bearing restraints result in axial forces in the girders and end
crossframes due to differential movements caused by de- de-cambering of the
Sign Convention: (+ Clockwise, Looking Forward - Counterclockwise, Looking Forward)
beams (or differential lengthening of the bottom flanges).
Intermediate Crossframes Only:
TEST CASE, MEMBER AXIAL FORCES:
Forward
T = 19 k
T = 22 k
C = 11 k
T=6k
C=9k

6
C = 12 k C=1k

T = 13 k C = 15 k
Sign Convention: (+ Clockwise, Looking Forward - Counterclockwise, Looking Forward)

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 Test Case, Support Reactions
• The resulting horizontal components of the support reactions
for the test case are shown below.
• These forces need to be accounted for in the bearing design if
end crossframes are left connected during the deck pour.
TEST CASE, HORIZONTAL BEARING LOADS:
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Conclusions for End Crossframe Effects:
• End crossframes in skewed structures cause girders to twist.
The magnitude of the twist is similar to that caused by
intermediate crossframes.
• End crossframes in skewed structures produce longitudinal and
lateral forces at restrained bearing locations.
• If end crossframes are fully connected prior to the deck pour,
end crossframe effects must be considered in the design.
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Combined Effects: Girder End Twist Combined Effects: Girder End Twist
End Crossframes Only / Intermediate Crossframes Only: Forward
Forward

Sign Convention: (+ Clockwise, Looking Forward - Counterclockwise, Looking Forward)

Sign Convention: (+ Clockwise, Looking Forward - Counterclockwise, Looking Forward)
Combined effects: Conclusions:
Forward • Intermediate and end effects are not additive.
• Interaction between effects redistributes twist slightly, but the
the
overall magnitude remains about the same when effects are
combined.

Sign Convention: (+ Clockwise, Looking Forward - Counterclockwise, Looking Forward)

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Common Questions:
Q: Will using skewed intermediate crossframes prevent girder
twisting?
A: No. Skewed intermediate crossframes behave like end
crossframes. They will produce twist due to differential
movements between the bottom and top flanges of adjacent
girders.
Common Questions:
Q: Will reducing crossframe spacing keep girders from twisting?
A: No. Tighter crossframe spacing does not address the basic
problem, which is differential movement between adjacent
girders. Adding crossframes may reduce crossframe member
forces and increase girder stability, but twisting will still occur.
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Summary:
• Both intermediate and end crossframes produce twist in skewed
bridges.
• Intermediate crossframes cause significant redistribution of
QUESTIONS ?
support reactions and girder forces (shear and moment) in
heavily skewed structures.
E-mail questions to:
• End crossframes may cause significant lateral and longitudinal
reactions to occur at restrained bearings ose@dot.state.oh.us
• Both intermediate and end crossframe effects need to be
accounted for in design of highly skewed bridges.

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