Lateral Load Effect on Load Carrying Capacity of Steel Arch Bridge Structures

Abstract

Several numerical results for the load carrying capacity of two‐hinged, parabolic, steel arch bridge structures—determined by an accurate finite element approach—are presented. The arch structures are composed of two main ribs connected by a lateral bracing system. The load combination that is considered consists of vertical loading and practical lateral loading to which bridge structures are actually subjected. From the numerical results, the influence of several parameters on the strength of arch structures is discussed. It is concluded that the load carrying capacity of arch bridge structures with conventional out‐of‐plane rigidities, under vertical and practical lateral loading, may be determined by a simpler, quasi‐planar structural analysis.