Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of RC Slab Bridge

Abstract

A step‐by‐step modeling and analysis procedure for nonlinear finite element analysis of complete constructed facilities is presented. A comprehensive microcomputer‐based software that was developed for this study is briefly described. The procedure is demonstrated by conducting analyses of an existing reinforced concrete (RC) slab bridge. The experimental knowledge base gained from nondestructive tests conducted on this bridge is used to construct and validate the analytical models. A sensitivity study is carried out to explore the effects of various modeling parameters on the structure response. Analysis results indicate that the manner of modeling support conditions significantly affects the bridge strength. The collapse mechanism of the bridge that is predicted agrees with results from destructive tests conducted on a similar RC slab bridge.