Study of the Impact of Varying Inclination Angles of Arch Ribs on the Seismic Behavior of Half-Through Steel Basket-Handle Arch Bridge

Abstract

In the present study, multiscale finite element (FE) models of half-through steel basket-handle arch bridges were established. The eigenvalue analyses were conducted to explore the dynamic characteristics of the arch bridges based on the FE models. In addition, a parametric analysis was carried out to investigate the impact of the inclination angle of the arch rib (0°, 4°, and 7°) on the longitudinal and transverse seismic performances of arch bridges. The results show that with the increase in inclination angle, the out-of-plane stiffness of half-through steel basket-handle arch bridges increases, resulting in the natural period of the structure becoming shorter from 3.09 s to 2.93 s. Adjusting the inclination angle appropriately has a beneficial impact on the overall seismic performance of the structures, affecting both displacement and internal forces, in which the most significant improvements include a 42.8% decrease in displacement and a 62.6% reduction in internal forces. Adjusting the inclination angle can cause the arch springing and transverse brace to undergo larger plastic deformation. It is advisable to judiciously enlarge the sectional dimensions and enhance the material strength of both the arch springing and the transverse bracing in seismic designs.