Failure reason analysis of an arch bridge and reinforcement scheme with hybrid structure

Abstract

Arch structure has been one of the most popular architectural sculptures due to its graceful sculpts and rational bearing mechanism. In order to deal with he thrust at the arch foot and the out-plane stability of arch structure which could result in the failure of the whole structure, a practical arch bridge, which failed work after accomplishment, was taken as example to develop the research. Through analysis of the origin structure by finite element program Midas under dead and live load, the reason for the failure of the present arch structure was pointed out. Considering the concept of `hybrid¿, three hybrid structures with arch as a composition were advanced to reinforce the initial structure. Two of them are arch-truss hybrid structure with different dimension, and another one is cable-supported arch hybrid structure. The present reinforced structures were analyzed and their reinforced effects were attained respectively. Through comparison of the bearing characteristic of each structure, a relatively most suitable structure was proposed to be used in this project, which could make as full as possible use of the hybrid structure.