Finite Element Simulation and Experiment of Temporary Active Transverse Brace of Inward-inclined Bridge Tower Construction

For the bridge tower with large inclination angle, the beam element in Midas finite element software is used to model and analyze the bridge tower structure, and its accuracy is difficult to guarantee. In this paper, taking the construction of a suspension bridge’s inward-inclined tower as the research background, the finite element simulation of the inward-inclined bridge tower is carried out by using the two modeling methods of the beam element and the solid element. The calculation accuracy of the beam element model, the specific position and the jacking force applied by the active transverse brace of the inward-inclined bridge tower are determined, and the field test of the tower bottom stress during the construction process is performed. The results show that: when the inclination angle of the bridge tower is small (5 °), the beam element element is used for modeling and analysis, which has fast calculation speed and high calculation accuracy; When the inclination angle is 15 °, the error of the beam element model exceeds 30%, and it is recommended to use the solid model for calculation; the active cross brace plays a key role in controlling the stress at the bottom of the tower column before the lower cross beam is applied. And after the construction of the cross beam, the active cross brace forms a closed frame structure with the lower tower column, and the subsequent cross brace has little impact on the stress at the bottom of the tower column; Compared with increasing the number of temporary cross braces, increasing the jacking force can improve the stress at the bottom of the tower. And by adjusting the position of the active cross brace and applying the appropriate active jacking force, the stress at the root of the tower column can be greatly improved.