Sensitivity Analysis of Structural Parameters of Unequal-Span Continuous Rigid Frame Bridge with Corrugated Steel Webs

Abstract

To investigate the effect of structural parameters of bridges with unequal spans on the bridge alignment, the finite element model simulating the full-scale bridge was developed, considering the construction process. For ease of finite element modeling and investigation, the section of composite beam with corrugated steel web was first converted into the section composed of the same material. For this purpose, an equivalent method of replacing corrugated steel webs with concrete webs was proposed based on theoretical derivation. After equivalent replacement, the influences of material bulk density, internal prestress, pipe friction coefficient, and pipe deviation coefficient on the main beam at the maximum cantilever stage were analyzed, and the influences of external prestress on the main beam after bridge construction were analyzed. The results show that the most sensitive parameter to structural response is bulk density, subsequently the external prestress, internal prestress, pipe friction coefficient, and pipe deviation coefficient. Among them, the bulk density, internal prestress, and external prestress are all sensitive parameters, while pipe friction coefficient and pipe deviation coefficient are non-sensitive parameters.

Keywords

• structural parameters
• equivalent substitution
• sensitivity analysis
• unequal span