Robustness of bridges
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Journal Title
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Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu |
Master's thesis
Ask about the availability of the thesis by sending email to the Aalto University Learning Centre oppimiskeskus@aalto.fi
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Major/Subject
Mcode
R3001
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
75+2
Series
Abstract
In this thesis, methods for providing and evaluating robustness of bridges are studied. As a general requirement for robustness, a bridge should not damage in a manner disproportionate to an original cause of the failure. A disproportionate damage appears, when an igniting event is insignificant by its character compared to the extent of its consequences. It follows that occurrence of a relatively insignificant hazard, like a minor design or manufacturing error in a structure detail, should not imply partial or total collapse of a bridge. Four examples of bridge collapses are described together with their possible causes in order to discern hazards that can influence a safety of bridge structures. Some of the hazards that might occur during bridge lifecycle are identified and categorised. Definition of robustness is presented together with some important related terms as vulnerability, damage tolerance, progressive collapse and redundancy. Some proposed methods of quantifying robustness are briefly summarised. A literature survey on different national and international standards and guidelines is made. Strategies for providing robustness in bridges used in Canada, United States of America, Australia, New Zealand are outlined. A method for evaluating robustness is proposed. It consists of two different approaches based on local resistance and redundancy of the bridge. The proposed method is applied in two case studies: 33,6 m long two span concrete slab bridge over a river and 118,8 m long four span concrete prestressed girder overpass.Description
Supervisor
Kiviluoma, RistoThesis advisor
Lilja, HeikkiOllila, Risto