An innovative deformation coordination method for analyzing distortion effects on box girders.

Area of Science:

• Structural Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Applied Mathematics

Background:

• Box girders are susceptible to distortion effects under load.
• Existing methods for analyzing distortion can be complex and computationally intensive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel deformation coordination method for analyzing distortion in vertical web box girders.
• To derive and validate the governing differential equation for distortion.
• To compare the proposed method with existing analytical techniques.

Main Methods:

• Derivation of the differential equation for distortion based on deformation coordination conditions.
• Comparative analysis with plate element analysis and total potential energy variation methods.
• Experimental validation using bench-scale tests and numerical simulations.

Main Results:

• The proposed method yields distortion differential equations and attenuation coefficients consistent with established methods.
• Analytical results for distortion warping normal stresses show good agreement with experimental data (error: -0.3% to 5.4%).
• Increased span-to-depth and height-to-thickness ratios amplify distortion stresses.

Conclusions:

• The deformation coordination method offers a simplified and accurate approach to analyzing box girder distortion.
• Augmenting box wall thickness is an effective strategy to mitigate distortion effects.
• The method enhances applicability by enabling distortion equation derivation through displacement calculations.