Structural Analysis and Load Test of a Nineteenth-Century Iron Bowstring Arch-Truss Bridge

作者：Moen Cristopher D^*; Shapiro Elaine E; Hart Julia

来源：Journal of Bridge Engineering, 2013, 18(3): 261-271.

DOI：10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0000341

• Historic bridges
• Bowstring arch truss
• Live-load test
• Zenas King
• Wrought iron
• Network arch

A structural study examines the oldest remaining metal bridge in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a wrought-iron bowstring arch truss, designed and manufactured by the King Iron Bridge Company. Finite-element analysis is used to evaluate the interaction between the arch and truss, and the results are compared with field measurements from a live-load test. The study reveals that diagonal truss elements decrease arch bending by distributing concentrated vertical loads along the arch toward the abutments in a way consistent with that of modern network arch bridges. When the truss diagonals are absent, the vertical bridge-deck deflection is doubled. Underslung portal frames provide lateral stiffness to the arch, an innovation that accommodates a shallow arch profile conducive to transportation and erection. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0000341.

• 出版日期2013-3
• 单位Virginia Tech; 美国弗吉尼亚理工大学(Virginia Tech)