Numerical Analysis of the Mechanical Performance of a Precast Hollow-Slab Girder Bridge with Hinge-Joint Damage Under Interfacial Bond Degradation

Hinge joints are critical structural components that connect precast girders and enhance the load-bearing capacity and serviceability of multi-girder bridges. Damage to hinge joints can significantly reduce the structural integrity of a bridge and may even lead to bridge collapse. This study numerically investigated the effects of hinge-joint damage on the mechanical performance and inter-girder connections of a hollow-slab girder bridge using a surface-based cohesive behavior model. Hinge-joint damage was simulated in the finite element software ABAQUS (version 2022) using bond-performance degradation at the slab–hinge joint interfaces. The effects of damage location and severity on the stress distribution within the hinge joints were evaluated. The results reveal that damage in two hinge joints produces stresses 15% higher than those caused by damage in a single hinge joint. This indicates a weak superposition effect among multiple damaged joints. Additionally, stress fluctuations at key points Nos. 1 and 2 are significantly greater than those at key points Nos. 3 and 4. These findings provide valuable guidance for improving the durability and crack resistance of hinge joints and designing and maintaining multi-girder bridges.