Analysis of Horizontally Curved Deck Slabs Using Simple Finite Element Method 10 July

IJBSTR RESEARCH PAPER VOL 1 [ISSUE 7] JULY 2013
ISSN 2320 6020
Analysis of Horizontally Curved Deck Slabs Using Simple Finite

Element Method
Rohit Rai
ABSTRACT: A series of horizontally curved deck slabs were analyzed using simple finite-element models. The analyses included
using a uniformly distributed load and the dead load as the primary forces on deck slab. In each analysis, the behavior of deck slabs
was investigated, and the major internal forces developed in members were determined. Specifically, an increase in absolute stress and
the existence of a torsion moment in cases where the horizontal angle of curvature is large (about 4590) was observed. The
significance of these moments, compared with the maximum bending moment of a comparable straight bridge, was noted. Deck slab
for practical purposes was assumed of sizes 90cm width and 200cm outer curves span.
KEYWORDS: Curvature, Torsion Moment, Absolute Stress.
INTRODUCTION
Bridge superstructure with horizontal curvature generally has
higher cost than comparable structures on straight alignment
due to increased design fabrication and construction costs. In
most instances, however, the extra cost is nominal and offset
by the associated functional improvement. In the past, curved
bridges had deck formed to follow the roadway curvature, but
were supported a straight beams and girders with changing
direction to accommodate the deck alignment.
Since the early 1960s, curved spans
and framing systems have become standard features of
highway interchanges and urban expressways.
A curved deck may still be placed
on a series of straight beams or girders if the curvature is not
very steep and the maximum slab overhang resulting from this
arrangement is compatible with the practical slab thickness.
Roadway curvature with small radius is common in access
ramps and elevated roadways where the plan alignment is
restricted by site conditions. In such cases clearance
requirement and structural optimization may indicate a curved
framing system that limits the cross-sectional variation and
may also be economically competitive .The appearance of a
curved framing system is more pleasing compared to straight
girders placed on chord configuration.
Rohit Rai
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

The finite element is a technique for analyzing complicated
structures by notionally cutting up the continuum of the
prototype into a number of small elements which are
connected at discrete joints called nodes. For each element
approximate stiffness equations are derived relating
displacements of the nodes to node forces between elements
and in the same way the slope deflection equation can be
solved for joints in a continuous beam, an electronic computer
is used to solve the very large number of simultaneous
equations that relate node force and displacements. Since the
basic principle of subdivision of structure into simple elements
can be applied to structures of all forms and complexity, there
is no logical limit to the type of structure that can be analyzed
if the computer program is written in the appropriate form.
Consequently finite elements provide the more versatile
method of analysis at present, and for some structures only
practical method .However the quantity of computation can be
enormous and expensive so that the cost cannot be justified for
run of mill structures. Furthermore, the numerous different
theoretical formulations of element stiffness characteristics all
require approximations in different ways affect the accuracy
and applicability of the method .Further research and
development is required before the method will have the ease
of use and reliability of the simple methods of bridge deck
analysis.
Research Scholar
The technique was pioneered for two dimensional elastic

structures by Turner et al and Clough during the1950s.
Department of Civil Engineering

M.M.M. Engineering College Gorakhpur
273010 (UP) India
Email: rohit.rai2609@gmail.com
The whole structure is divided into component elements,

such as straight beams, curved beams, triangular or
rectangular plate elements, which are joined at the nodes.
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When this method is applied to a slab, the slab is divided into
triangular, rectangular or quadrilateral elements. Thus, the
corners of the elements become nodes usually; the vertical
deflections of the plate element are expressed in a polynomial
of the coordinates of the vertices of the element. This
polynomial satisfies the conditions at the corners but may
violate the continuity condition along the sides of the element.
LITERATURE REVIEW
During recent years, several research workers have attempted
to analyze curved bridge decks by the finite element method.
Jenkins and Siddall used a stiffness matrix approach and
represented the deck slab with finite elements in the form of
annular segments, while Cheung adopted the triangular
elements. In addition, a horizontal curved box-beam highway
bridge was investigated in a three dimensional sense by Aneja
and Roll.
METHOD OF ANALYSIS
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=
1+ 2 + 3 + 4 2+ 5 + 6 2+ 7 3+ 8 2 +
9 2+ 10 3+ 11 3 + 12 3
x=/
y= /
UA=CA
Where C is a 12 by 12 matrix simply written in terms of the

coordinates of the nodes and A is a column matrix of the
unknown constants.
The curvature and twist at a by point of the element can also
be expressed in terms of the unknown constants,
2 / 2
2 / 2
2 2 /
=BA
The internal moments are related to the curvature by matrix D.
Consider a typical element with nodal points i, j, k,

1.Displacements at each point are the lateral displacement and
rotations are perpendicular axes x and y within the plane of the
slab.
xi
i.e. Ui= yi
2 / 2
=D 2 / 2
2 2 /
1
0
1
0
0
0
where D is given by
By the principle of virtual work the stiffness matrix KA of the

element is expressed as
Displacement of the whole element is given by:-
KA=(c-1)T [BTDB dxdy] C-1
UA=
Where the integration is taken over the entire area of the

element.
Similarly the forces in the direction of displacements are given

by:
Fi= ,FA=
Once the stiffness matrix of an element is determined, the

nodal stiffness matrix of the whole structure, Scan is
assembled by manual calculation or with the computer.
If N=external nodal forces,
U=nodal displacements
Then N=Su
If the lateral deflection w throughout the element is

represented by a polynomial in x and y, 12 unknown constants
are involved since three degree of freedom exist at each node.
After incorporating support restraint conditions, all nodal

displacements can be determined by solving the above set of
simultaneous equations or by matrix inversion,
i.e. u=[S]-1N
The finite Element Method was developed in recent years, but
its application has become increasingly popular. The standard
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structural procedures once established can be used for the
solution of very complicated structures. Even a three
dimensional structure with slabs, beams and columns can be
treated together. Boundary conditions which are notoriously
difficult for plate method can be dealt with as a trivial matter
of insertion.
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The deck slab of 90degree curved was designed and we got
following cross-section.
Depth of slab=80mm, Sizes of girders=150mm200mm.
VARIOUS FORCE EXISTING IN PLATE ELEMENT
DESIGN AND GEOMETRICAL CONFIGURATION OF

DECK SLAB
Qx=Shear Force in direction,
Fig 1: Deck Slab plan layout

Figure shows the curvature plan of deck slab used in the
analysis. The curvature is represented by the angle seven
different curved bridge configurations were considered with
equal to 15, 30,45,60,75 and 90. A comparable straight deck
(curvature angle=0) was also considered in the analysis to
provide a baseline for comparing the results obtained for
S.
No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Degree
of
curvatur
e
0
15
30
45
60
75
90
Chord
Length(m)
Radius(m)
Arc Length(m)
Qy=Shear Force in Y direction,

Mx=Bending Moment in x direction,
My=Bending Moment in y direction,
Mxy=Twisting Moment in xy direction.
Table 1:-Table of different geometry for which the
Decks slab was investigated.
1.80
1.80
1.80
1.80
1.80
1.80
1.80
______
6.92
3.477
2.3523
1.80
1.48
1.27
______
1.8107
1.81963
1.84632
1.884
1.93
1.998
Loading Taken:-Loading taken was 0.011121N/mm2.It was

kept constant for all the models.
ANALYSIS OF DECK SLAB
1. Taking the 1st Geometry Straight deck
Span=1.80m
curved decks. The actual span lengths of the bridges are

slightly different from one another. For our practical
consideration we had to make a small specimen.
However, the chord length L was set at a constant value equal
to 1.79m.It was set so because we had made that specimen in
lab.
Thus the straight deck has a span of 1.80m.
As far design of curved deck slab is considered we had used
Marcus method for designing of curved deck slab and
designed curved slab accordingly and for curved girders we
had designed IS method considering UDL.
Fig 2: 3D Model of Straight Deck Slab
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Fig 3: Absolute Stress diagram due to UDL.
Fig 5: Absolute stress diagram due to UDL
Stress generated due to UDL=3.03N/mm2.
The value of Absolute Stress due to UDL=3.95N/mm2
Table 2: Shows the values Bending Moments for various

Loading Conditions for straight Deck Slab

Loading Conditions.
LOADING
TYPE
LOADING
TYPE
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(
Mx)
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(
My)
MAXIMU
M
BENDING
MOMENT
(Mxy)
UNIFORML
Y
DISTRIBUT
ED LOAD
COMBINED
LOADING(D
ead and UDL)
4.186
4.11
0.242
8.30
8.13
0.494
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(
Mx)
KNm/m
UNIFORM-LY
DISTRIBUT-ED
LOAD
COMBINED
LOADING
(Dead Load and
UDL)
MAXIMUM
BENDI-NG
MOMENT(Mxy)
KNm/m
2.11
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(My)
KNm/m
0.474
4.035
0.912
0.209
0.110
nd
2. Taking 2 Geometry 15 Degree Curved Deck Slab.
3. Taking 3rd geometry Curvature is 30 Degree Curved Deck

Slab.
Fig 6: 3D Model of 30degree Curved Deck Slab
Fig 4: 3D Model for 15 Degree Curved Deck Slab
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Fig 9: Absolute Stress Diagram due to UDL
The maximum absolute stress due to UDL=3.377N/mm2
Absolute stress generated due to UDL=3.47N/mm2.

Loading Conditions.

Loading Conditions for straight Deck Slab
LOADING
TYPE
LOADING
TYPE
UNIFORMLY
DISTRIBUTE
D LOAD
COMBINED
LOADING(De
ad load and
UDL)
MAXIMU
M
BENDIN
G
MOMEN
T(Mx)
3.66
7.27
MAXIMU
M
BENDING
MOMENT(
My)
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(Mx
y)
0.860
0.230
1.70
UNIFORMLY
DISTRIBUTE
D LOAD
COMBINED
LOADING(De
ad Load and
UDL)
0.47
4. Taking 4th geometry Curvature is 45 Degree Curved Deck

Slab.
MAXIMU
M
BENDING
MOMENT(
Mx)
0.92
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(
My)
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(M
xy)
3.50
0.308
1.82
6.96
0.633

Slab.
Fig 10: 3D model of 60 curved deck slab
Fig 8: 3D Model of 45 degree curved deck slab
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The maximum absolute
UDL=2.33N/mm2.
stress
generated

due
to
The maximum
UDL=3.17N/mm2
absolute
stress
generated
due
to

Loading Conditions
Table7: Shows the values Bending Moments for various

Loading Conditions
LOADING
TYPE
LOADING
TYPE
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(
Mx)
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(
My)
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(M
xy)
UNIFORML 0.588
2.35
0.343
Y
DISTRIBUT
ED LOAD
COMBINED 1.18
4.94
0.66
LOADING
Slab.
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(
Mx)
1.062
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(
My)
3.17
UNIFORML
Y
DISTRIBUT
ED LOAD
COMBINED 2.11
6.29
LOADING(D
ead Load and
UDL)
7. Geometry 90degree curved deck slab
Fig 12: 3D model of 75 degree curved deck slab
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(M
xy)
0.500
1.02
Fig 14: 3D model of 90degree curved deck slab
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Graphical interpretation of result:-
Absolute Stress(N/mm2)
Max.Absolute Stress
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Max.Absolute
Stress
0
50
100
Curvature(degree)
Fig 15: Absolute Stress Diagram due to UDL.
The maximum absolute stress generated =3.55N/mm2
2. The analysis for the change of torsion moments in this case

the loading was combined Dead Load and UDL.

Loading Conditions
UNIFORML
Y
DISTRIBUT
ED LOAD
COMBINED
LOADING(D
ead Load and
UDL)
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(
Mx)
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(
My)
MAXIMUM
BENDING
MOMENT(M
xy)
2.71
3.15
1.87
5.37
6.21
1.38
S. No.
Curvature(degrees)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
0
15
30
45
60
75
90
1. The comparison of the result obtained for Maximum

absolute stresses subjected to Uniformly Distributed Load.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Curvature(degrees)
0
15
30
45
60
75
90
Moment
(Mx),
Torsional Moment
RESULTS AND GRAPHICAL INTERPRETATION
S.no
Bending
(kNm/m)
0.209
0.39
0.47
0.63
0.66
1.02
1.38
Graphical interpretation of results:-
Maximum absolute
stresses(N/mm2)
3.03
3.95
3.47
3.377
2.92
2.11
5.37
Torsional Moment(kNm/m)
LOADING
TYPE
a) The comparison of the results of torsion Moment.
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
Torsional
Moment
50
100
Curvature(degree)
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CONCLUSION
1. There was increase in the maximum absolute stress of about
77.22% from zero degree to 90 degree curvature.
2. There was also a large increase in the torsion moment with
curvature and this has been shown graphically.
REFERENCES
1.
Albaijet, H. M. O. (1999). Behaviour of horizontally

curved bridges under static load and dynamic load
from earthquakes. PhD thesis, Illinois Institute of
Technology, Chicago.
2.
Linzell, D. G. (1999). Studies of a full-scale

horizontally curved steel I-girder bridge system under
self-weight. PhD thesis, Georgia Institute of
Technology, Atlanta.
3.
Zureick, A., Naqib, R., and Yadlosky, J. M. (1994).

Curved steel bridge research project, interim report
I: Synthesis. Publication No. FHWARD-93-129,
Federal Highway Administration, McLean, Va.
4.
Eduardo De Santiago, Jamshid Mohammadi and

Hamadallah M. O. Albaijat (2005) Analysis of
Horizontally Curved Bridges Using Simple FiniteElement Models.
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Analysis of Horizontally Curved Deck Slabs Using Simple Finite Element Method 10 July

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IJBSTR RESEARCH PAPER VOL 1 [ISSUE 7] JULY 2013

ISSN 2320 6020