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In recent years, bridge safety accidents caused by insufficient shear bearing capacity of bridges have attracted increasing attention. The main causes include internal factors such as insufficient bridge section and deterioration of steel bars, as well as external factors, for example, vehicle load surge and improper maintenance. To address this issue to some degree, this article adopts the method of strengthening RC beams with ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) and conducts parameter analysis using finite element method, taking into consideration the influence of four parameters: reinforcement material, reinforcement thickness, reinforcement length, and reinforcement form on the shear strengthening characteristics of RC rectangular beams. After obtaining the optimal reinforcement plan through parameter analysis, the author applied the research results to an existing bridge with insufficient shear strength. It then turned out that the shear bearing capacity of the reinforced bridge’s inclined section increased by approximately 27.1%. Simple and fast in construction, this reinforcement method is one of the methods that is effective to increase cross-section reinforcement; besides, it features good economic characteristics and applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increase in traffic volume, load level, and service life of existing bridges, the bending bearing capacity of reinforced concrete beams (hereinafter referred to as RC beams) has decreased, leading to safety issues. In order to solve the problem of insufficient flexural bearing capacity of RC beams, this article adopts the method of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) flexural strengthening RC beams, establishes a finite element model of UHPC-RC reinforcement system, and conducts stress analysis with reinforcement thickness, reinforcement range, reinforcement form, and reinforcement height as parameters to determine the optimal scheme of the reinforcement system. Based on the calculation results, a theoretical formula for the maximum principal stress and maximum deflection of the reinforcement system is proposed. To verify the feasibility of the plan, a reinforcement design was carried out on an existing beam, and it was found that the bending bearing capacity of the RC beam increased by 21%; the high tensile strength of UHPC and the addition of steel fibers have a good limiting effect on cracks; The steel plate of the reinforcement system can be used as a template, reducing construction costs and having good economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bridge horizontal swivel system generally adopts a symmetrical structure and uses a spherical hinge structure that can adjust the rotation to complete rotation construction. Because of the complexity of railway lines under bridges, some asymmetrical horizontal swivel systems have been increasingly applied in practical engineering in recent years. This system is more suitable for areas with complex railway lines, reduces the bridge span, and provides better economic benefits. However, it is also extremely unstable. In addition, instability can easily occur under dynamic loads, such as earthquake action and pulsating wind effects. Therefore, it is necessary to study their mechanical behavior. Based on the horizontal swivel system of an 11,000-ton asymmetric continuous girder bridge, the dynamic response of the horizontal swivel system to seismic action was studied using the finite element simulation analysis method. Furthermore, using the Peer database, seismic waves that meet the calculation requirements are screened for time-history analysis and compared to the response spectrum method. The mechanical properties of the structural system during and after rotation were obtained through calculations. During rotation, the seismic response of the structure is greater. To reduce the calculation time cost, an optimization algorithm based on the mode shape superposition method is proposed. The calculation result is 87% that of the time-history analysis, indicating a relatively high calculation accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the spherical hinge in the bridge swivel structure bears huge vertical pressure, the material and its structural load-bearing capacity are therefore highly-required. In the latest research, the ultrahigh performance concrete material is applied to the spherical hinge structure and the author of this article has conducted a detailed study on the mechanical properties and failure mechanism of this structure; however, there is still no real bridge application at present. In order to ensure the stability of the structure, based on an actual project, this research proposes a monitoring method for the stability of the UHPC spherical hinge horizontal rotation system, i.e., using theoretical calculations and numerical analysis methods. Besides, the mechanical characteristics of the bridge during the process of rotation are predicted, and the monitoring data of the stress of the UHPC spherical hinge, the bending moment of the pier bottom, as well as the acceleration time history of the cantilever beam end are made a comparison to judge whether the rotating posture of the structure is stable. The results show that UHPC spherical hinge features high strength and will not cause axial damage; also, the horizontal rotation system will not cause the unstability due to wind-induced vibration and structural self-excited vibration. Briefly concluded, the theoretical model is basically consistent with the measured data, i.e., the mechanical properties of the structure can be accurately predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]