Experimental and analytical studies on static and dynamic characteristics of steel box girder for Runyang Cable-stayed Bridge

In this study, a multi-scale computational model and methodology is presented for a comprehensive simulation of the static and dynamic characteristics of the steel box girder of Runyang Cable-stayed Bridge. The global-scale finite element model uses the shell elements with the equivalent orthotropic materials to simulate the top/bottom plate and its U-shape rib, which leads to accurate modeling of structural properties of the steel box girder in terms of vertical, lateral, torsional and warping stiffness. The local-scale finite element modeling of the girder is essentially a combination of fine finite element sub-models of selected details and the global-scale shell element model of the steel box girder by using the submodeling method. The developed three-dimensional global-scale and local-scale FE models have achieved a good Correlation with the field load tests and ambient vibration tests. The static and dynamic characteristics of steel box girder of Runyang Cable-stayed Bridge under vehicle load tests and ambient vibration tests are further discussed.