Calibrated baseline model of a large cable stay bridge

The primary task accomplished was the development and progressive field calibration of a large three dimensional finite element model (FEM) of the Veteran's Glass City Skyway (VGCS) cable stay bridge. Another major task completed was the combined experimental and analytical study of the delta frame to confirm it did not crack prior to going into service. The use of a sparse sensor arrays, monitoring of segments from casting through erection and progressive calibration are unique features of this work.; The VGCS is a large cable stayed bridge with twin prestressed concrete box girders carrying a total of six lanes of traffic located in Toledo, Ohio, USA. The VGCS is owned by the Ohio Department of Transportation.; Just four sections of the bridge are instrumented. Using careful testing, this sparse instrument array is adequate to calibrate the FEM model. The model was progressively calibrated. It was validated during construction using available construction loads and at the end of construction using a programmed truck test. The calibrated model accurately represented the elastic behavior during construction and at the end of construction. The final model documents the bridge behavior at the end of construction, confirms a wide range of design assumptions and is designed to be useful as a maintenance tool.; The delta frame is a heavily prestressed element that carries the forces from the box girders to the stays. Prior to stay tensioning, regions of the lower chord of the delta frame are in tension. To prevent future maintenance problems, it is important to know if cracks formed in the lower chord during casting, storage, and erection. A combined experimental and analytical approach which allowed data from a minimum of relatively expensive instrumentation to validate a model was used to confirm that the delta frame did not crack during construction and erection. Also, the calibrated delta frame model was used in the larger model of the entire bridge.; Truck tests at the end of construction showed that a field calibrated model of the VGCS was successfully developed. Analysis, experiment and inspection showed the lower chord of the delta frame did not crack prior to stay tensioning.