Numerical and Experimental Studies of the Use of Fiber-Reinforced Polymers in Long-Span Suspension Bridges

Abstract

For the construction of transport infrastructure (including pipeline bridges for oil and gas transportation) in the conditions of the Far North, it is necessary to improve modern regulatory and technological base for using the fiber-reinforcing polymers. It is necessary to conduct searching research to determine the conditions and shapes of application of the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) in the load-bearing structures of bridges and pipelines through barriers. One such searching research is the study of the use of a suspension hybrid bridge with a superstructure of FRP. For this purpose, the calculations of finite-element models of pedestrian suspension bridges were performed and their aerodynamic stability was investigated on the section models in a wind tunnel. The novelty of the study consists in the proposed additions to the structure of the bridge, and the permissible geometric of the cross-sections of the superstructure were established for ensuring aerodynamic stability. Finally, this was the first time that it was directly established that the strength, stiffness and aerodynamic stability of a suspension hybrid bridge were provided.

Features of bridge superstructures modeling during the stress-strain state monitoring

“…The difference in the values of the actual and calculated stresses indicates a discrepancy between the calculated model and the actual operation of the superstructure. This is undesirable, but permissible in the case of a clear understanding of the available design reserves, which is possible only if there is confidence in the correctness of the compiled design scheme and taking into account the main factors affecting the stress-strain state of the elements [7][8][9].…”