Abstract:
In this thesis the structural analysis of two basic types of bridge
deck systems are discussed:
1. the nmltibeam bridge deck
II. the skewed anisotropic bridge deck.
The major difficulty in the analysis of I, the multibeam deck, arises
from its lack of transverse bending stiffness; load distribution occurs by
shear transference at interlocking shear keys. An analysis method, developed
from transfer matrix theory is proposed and shown to be satisfactory for such a
structure. Model studies on a quarter scale multibeam bridge deck are
described together with field tests on the prototype decks - the southern motorway
bridges crossing Slippery Creek. Agreement between theory, model studies
and field tests is illustrated.
The satisfactory analysis of II, the skewed anisotropic deck, is
complicated by its anistropic elastic properties and skewed geometry. An
analysis procedure is introduced which is an extension of the finite element
technique already established in other plate bending and plane stress problems.
Using therefore the matrix displacement method and finite element discretization,
the method has been programmed for solution by digital computer. Comparison of
the computed displacements with those obtained by experiment on skewed isotropic
and anisotropic steel plates is given. The finite element method is seen to be
a powerful analytical tool, particularly because of its ability to handle elastic
anisotropy and arbitrary geometric shapes.