4D Full-Scale Finite Element Analysis of Long-Span Composite Box Girder Bridges

In bridge engineering, besides the design in 3D space scale, the construction at the time scale is also an important aspect that will influence the performance of a bridge in use stage. Two aspects of work were contained in this paper. Firstly, based on a three-span composite bridge of continuous box girder (88m+156m+88m), a full-scale finite element model was constructed in the program Midas FEA. Specially, the box girder was consisted of corrugated steel webs and concrete flanges. Secondly, focusing on the connection style, two types of connectors including headed stud and ‘perfobond strip’ were applied in the composite box girder. With the simulation of 4D full-scale finite element model, the results wear reasonable and exact. And the comparison research indicated that the program with stud connectors had a smaller stiffness and a better stress condition. The 4D full-scale finite element analysis method may provide reference and experience for further study.