Comparative structural response of two steel bridges constructed 100 years apart

Varum, Humberto; Sousa, Romain; Delgado, Walter; Fernandes, Catarina; Costa, Aníbal; Jara, José; Jara, Manuel; Álvarez, Jesús

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/4771

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This paper presents a comparative numerical analysis of the structural behaviour and seismic performance of two existing steel bridges, the Infiernillo II Bridge and the Pinhão Bridge, one located in Mexico and the other located in Portugal. The two bridges have similar general geometrical characteristics, but their construction is separated by one hundred years. 3D structural models of both bridges were developed and analyzed for various load cases and several seismic conditions. The results of the comparative analysis between the two bridges are presented in terms of natural frequencies and corresponding vibration modes, maximum stresses in the structural elements and maximum displacements. The study aimed at determining the influence of one century period in material properties, transverse sections and expected behaviour of two quite similar bridges. In addition, the influence of the bearing conditions in the global response of the Pinhão Bridge was evaluated.