Work

Research on the Equivalent Span of Hybrid Girder Bridges

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Hybrid girder bridges achieve significant improvements in spanning capacity by utilizing lightweight and high-strength materials in the midspan beam segments. To quantitatively describe the enhancement in spanning capacity, this study introduces a simplified analytical model for hybrid girder components, avoiding complex factors, such as span ratio and boundary conditions, typically encountered in previous system-level analyses. The Leq method is proposed based on this new model, utilizing classical beam theory model to calculate and compare hybrid girder components with both uniform and variable cross-sections. The equivalent span increase coefficient, κ, is introduced for the first time, and a simplified formula for its calculation is derived. The calculation errors are kept within 8%, which meets the requirements for preliminary design. Validated through engineering practice, the formula is concise and reveals that κ is solely related to the hybrid ratio, μ, and the linear load ratio, γ. This method provides valuable guidance for the conceptual design and ultimate span prediction of hybrid girder bridges.

Source: Materials

DOI: 10.3390/ma18061278

Authors: Bing Shangguan, Feng Wang, Qingtian Su, Fawas O. Matanmi, Jun Xu

Institutions: Tongji University, CCCC Highway Consultants (China)

Language: English

Topic: Structural Engineering and Materials Analysis

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137