The finite element method is used to investigate failure mechanisms in pin-hanger connections in aging highway bridges. Bridge pins and hangers are typically considered as critical elements whose failure may result in partial or entire collapse of the structure. The primary function of a pin-hanger connection is to allow for longitudinal thermal expansion and thermal contraction in the bridge super-structure due to temperature changes (daily or seasonal). The induced movements, due to thermal effects, have considerable impact on bridge design and performance. Thus, in addition to the applied mechanical loads (dead load and traffic), the thermal load due to temperature changes is also included. A key goal was also to relate original design calculations for the pin and hanger components to the current analysis which accounts for the entire bridge structure under combined loads and extreme environmental conditions.

Last modified

• 09/10/2018

Creator

• David Houcque

DOI

• https://doi.org/10.21985/N2KH9C

Subject

• Mechanical Engineering

Keyword

• Civil Engineering

Date created

• 2008-05-12

Resource type

• Dissertation

Rights statement

• In Copyright