Limit Analysis for Evaluation of Compression Diagonal Gusset Plates in Steel Truss Bridges
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 28, Issue 9
Abstract
Current standard evaluation procedures for compression gusset plates, the two-fold Whitmore section (Whitmore) buckling and the partial plane shear yielding (PPSY), as specified in The Manual for Bridge Evaluation (MBE), are conservative and may result in unnecessary strengthening and retrofitting. To provide accurate and rational load rating factors for decision-making, the two-strut buckling model, which is based on the lower bound theorem of limit analysis, is developed to evaluate compression diagonal gusset plates in steel truss bridges. The proposed model includes two struts, horizontal and vertical strut plates that are subjected to moments, axial compression, and shear forces, and satisfies equilibrium and the M–P–V interaction equation, where the moment on the vertical or the horizontal strut sections is M, the axial force on the vertical or horizontal strut sections is P, and the shear force on the vertical or horizontal strut sections is V. The predicted results were compared with 116 large-scale experimental and finite-element (FE) analytical tests that were reported in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 12-84 project, the MBE refined methods including the basic corner check (BCC) and the truncated Whitmore section (TWS) buckling. Of the three methods, the proposed two-strut buckling (TSB) model had the best professional factor [PF (Ptest/Ppredication)] and the relatively low coefficient of variation (COV). The procedures and concepts in the proposed model combine established engineering principles with simplicity and good engineering intuition to achieve uniformity when evaluating compression diagonal gusset plates in steel truss bridges.
Practical Applications
To provide accurate and rational load rating factors for decision-making for the bridge owners, the two-strut buckling model that is based on the lower bound theorem of limit analysis is developed to evaluate compression diagonal gusset plates in steel truss bridges. The predicted results were compared with 116 large-scale experimental and finite-element (FE) analytical tests that were reported in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 12-84 project, the Manual for Bridge Evaluation (MBE) refined methods, the basic corner check (BCC), and the truncated Whitmore section (TWS) buckling. Of the three methods, the proposed two-strut buckling model had the best professional factor [PF (Ptest/Ppredication)] and a low coefficient of variation (COV). The procedures and concepts in the proposed model combine established engineering principles with simplicity and good engineering intuition to achieve uniformity when evaluating compression diagonal gusset plates in steel truss bridges.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful for the guidance and advice from Professor Wai-Fah Chen at the University of Hawaii. In addition, thanks are due to our colleagues, Bill Addlespurger, Cory Cowden, Sean Fu, Jun Jung, Don Nguyen-Tan, Yusuf Saleh, Richard Tsang, David Ward, and Larry Wu of the California Department of Transportation, and Professor Chia-Ming Uang at the University of California at San Diego, for their extensive discussions and feedback. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Justin Ocel of FHWA and Professor Don White at the Georgia Institute of Technology for providing NCHRP 12-84 gusset plate experimental and FE specimen data. The opinions, findings, and conclusions presented in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of individuals and organizations listed above.
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Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 28 • Issue 9 • September 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 8, 2021
Accepted: Apr 9, 2023
Published online: Jun 22, 2023
Published in print: Sep 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Nov 22, 2023
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