01790504

Component

https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981211057885

Continuous steel plate girder bridges often use intermediate expansion joints located at in-span hinges to divide the superstructure into individual units with shorter expansion lengths. One common type of in-span hinge is often termed a “shiplap joint.” This type of joint is located away from piers near the moment inflection point of the span, maximizing girder efficiency. It consists of a cantilevered portion of the superstructure supporting a suspended portion of the latter on bearings placed on dapped portions of the steel plate girders. Few references are available for the evaluation and load rating of shiplap in-span hinges used in steel girder bridges. In this study, the strength and stability of a typical shiplap hinge connection is evaluated using two methodologies: a 3D finite element model including a detailed mesh of the connection; and a proposed simplified methodology based on design equations. Load ratings of the connections based on these methodologies are compared. The proposed approach allows for a conservative assessment of the hinge without the need for a detailed finite element model.

© National Academy of Sciences: Transportation Research Board 2021.

English

2021

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

Web

References (5)

Bridge design; Continuous girder bridges; Equations; Expansion joints; Finite element method; Hinges; Load factor; Plate girder bridges

Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 5 2021 3:12PM