Detailed Numerical Analysis for Overturning of Concrete Box-Girder Bridges with Single-Column Piers

A detailed FE model for analysis of overturning of concrete box-girder bridge with single-column piers was developed and the failure process was discussed in the presented paper. The result shows that the reason for overturning failure is the non-uniform compression deformation of the loading-side bearing caused by the eccentric external load, which then leads to a large rotating angel of supper structure. Once the friction force between Teflon plate and steel plate in the bearing cannot carry the diagonal component caused by the gravity load and external load, the sliding failure occurs. Based on the simplified mechanical analysis, the condition that bridge overturning occurs is that the tangent value of the rotating angle of box girder is greater than the friction coefficient between Teflon plate and steel plate in rubber bearing.