New Bridge Forms Composed of Modular Bridge Panels
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 21, Issue 4
Abstract
Panelized bridge systems (e.g., Bailey, Mabey Johnson, Acrow) are intended for girder-type bridges and have been implemented for military, civilian, and disaster relief applications. Design challenges, however, include material efficiency (span squared per number of panels), lateral bracing, and achieving longer spans. These challenges are addressed by investigating the promise of implementing panels in new configurations with longer spans and evaluating bracing strategies. Three new forms (Pratt truss, bowstring truss, and network tied arch) composed of standard length panels, with shapes determined based on geometric considerations and structural performance (resistance to buckling), are presented. A parametric study evaluates lateral bracing strategies for girder-like and column-like configurations. The promise of the new forms, also incorporating the developed bracing strategy, is demonstrated through finite element analyses. Following this investigation using a standard length panel, an optimization procedure for minimum self-weight and maximum structural performance is developed to determine an optimized panel length and form. This paper addresses the design challenges of efficiency, bracing, and span length for panelized bridge systems and indicates future areas for improvement through optimization.
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Acknowledgments
This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant CMMI-1351272. The support of Program Manager Dr. Kishor Mehta is gratefully acknowledged. No funding was provided by any panelized bridge manufacturers. There is no conflict of interest in this research. The authors thank Skip Wilson of Pioneer Bridges, a Division of Bailey Bridges, Inc., for providing cross-sectional properties for Bailey panels.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 21 • Issue 4 • April 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 14, 2015
Accepted: Oct 5, 2015
Published online: Jan 8, 2016
Published in print: Apr 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Jun 8, 2016
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