Structure analysis and optimal design of curved bridge bearings considering temperature variation effects

This thesis presents structure analysis and optimal design of bearings on the 8th Avenue Viaduct. Finite element two-dimensional structural analysis and one-dimensional transient heat conduction analysis were discussed. After a general description of Finite Element Method (FEM), three-dimensional models of the entire viaduct as well as a typical pot bearing structure in accordance with the shop drawings and as-built plans were developed using ANSYS software. A simplified beam line analysis was also conducted using SAP2000 software to obtain the bearings' vertical pressure, rotation, and transverse and longitudinal movements of the curved structure condition due to temperature variation effects. These initial values were input into the more complex three dimensional model in ANSYS for structural analysis of the pot bearing. Finally, some optimal design methods to relieve bearing grind and fracture issues were proposed.