Development of guidelines for erection procedures for horizontally curved steel I-girder bridges through analysis of a parametric group of bridges

A three dimensional finite element modeling technique was compared to field test results obtained from a horizontally curved steel I-girder bridge during construction. The three-dimensional finite element modeling technique was utilized to examine construction methods for 30 parametric bridges. The 30 parametric bridges were designed for use in the current study. The number of bridges to be analyzed was determined from prevailing parameters that were selected. The following parameters were investigated for this study: (1) varying radii; (2) single span structures; (3) two span structures (balanced spans); (4) two span structures (unbalanced spans); (5) 4 and 5 girder cross sections; (6) varying radius to unbraced length (R/L) ratios; (7) single girder erection; (8) paired girder erection; and (9) erection sequence (inner girder to outer girder vs. outer girder to inner girder). After designing the parametric bridges, three-dimensional finite element models were created for each bridge. The models were analyzed using 4 methods of construction for each bridge (paired outer, paired inner, single outer, and single inner). The deflection results were analyzed using ANOVA to determine which parameters were influencing the deflection results. The statistical model results were used to determine general trends in the radial, tangential, and vertical deflection results for the parametric bridges. The statistical results examine the influence of the study parameters on the radial, tangential, and vertical deflection. Recommendations are made for selecting an erection procedure for each bridge that minimizes radial, tangential, and vertical deflections. Recommendations are also made for determining which construction method should not be used for each of the parametric bridges.