Comparative analysis of different finite element models of the soil-buried arch bridge interaction

Abstract

Comparative analysis is made of different finite element models of a buried arch bridge which is constructed from precast concrete elements. Two static schemes of the bridge structure are considered - a static scheme of rigid connection between all structure elements and a static scheme of hinged connection between the lateral retaining walls and the vault plate. The modeling is carried out by the Plaxis 2D software. Two nonlinear constitutive models for soil materials are used - linear elastic-perfectly plastic Mohr-Coulomb's model and advanced elastic-plastic Hardening-Soil model. The Hardening-Soil model is a state-of-the-art scientific achievement which approximates the mechanical behavior of the soil materials with high accuracy using 15 material parameters. Two types of finite elements are used for modeling of the bridge structure: beam and plate elements. The soil-structure contacts are modeled by interface elements of thickness closed to zero. Traffic loads on a road situated above the bridge are assumed according to the model LM1 of Eurocode 1. Mechanical behavior of the bridge is studied by analyses of states in construction and service periods. Analysis of the ground bearing capacity is performed using the shear strength reduction technique.

Keywords

• arch bridge
• soil-structure interaction
• hinge connection
• rigid connection
• plane strain
• finite element modeling
• constitutive model
• traffic loading
• eurocode