Analytical investigation on bearing capacity of small steel girder bridge affected by corrosion damage at the end cross beam and stiffness decrease of RC slab

Abstract

Previous studies have investigated the load-distributing effect of deteriorated steel girder bridges. However, if end cross beams and an RC slab which can behave as load-distributing members have damage, the load-bearing capacity of the deteriorated bridges needs to be clarified. Thus the interactive load-bearing capacity and vertical displacement at bridge supports of a small H-beam bridge model were analyzed by using the finite displacement method in this study. The analytical result showed that the vertical load above the focused girder was distributed to the adjacent girders via the end cross beams and the RC slab even if the members had damage. However, the stiffness decreations of the end cross beams and the slab reduce the load-bearing capacity of the damaged girder end.