Computational analysis of curved prestressed concrete box-girder bridges using finite element method

The study employs finite element method to examine the effects of curve angle variations on the behavior of single and double-cell prestressed concrete box-girder bridges. A total of eighty bridge models were examined, featuring a range of curve angles from 0 to 60°, with increments of 12° between each model (0°, 12°, 24°, 36°, 48°, and 60°). The study revealed that bridges with curve angles of 24° or less exhibit minimal impact on forces, suggesting that they can be effectively treated as straight bridges for analytical purposes. The study revealed a marked change in structural response for bridges with curve angles greater than 24°, highlighting the influence of increased curvature on bridge behavior. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted to investigate the influence of changes in curve angles, span lengths, cell numbers, and span-depth ratios on structural forces and deflections under various load types, including dead, live, and prestressed loads. As the curve angle increases, a corresponding decrease in the flexural moment and vertical deflection is observed under prestressed loading conditions. Based on the analysis, it is reasonable to conclude that prestressed concrete box-girder bridges are best suited for applications involving higher curve angles.