Del Valle Roldán, Francisco

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    Computational analysis of critical gusset plate connections in steel bridges
    (2012) Del Valle Roldán, Francisco; Portela Gauthier, Genock; College of Engineering; Suarez, Luis E.; Wendichansky, Daniel; Department of Civil Engineering; Lorenzo, Edgardo
    An existing steel truss bridge located in Missouri was selected to determine the critical connections based on the loads criteria established in the Manual for Bridge Evaluation. The selected connections were typically used in steel truss bridges. A Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of critical connections was performed in order to: i) study the stress distribution in the elements, rivets, and gusset plates, ii) compare Finite Element Model (FEM) techniques used to study steel gusset plates, iii) study the Load Rating results in gusset plates based on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Load Rating Guidance for Truss Bridges, iv) validate the methods used for tension capacity in gusset plates, v) study the corrosion effects and loss of rivets, vi) study the effect of thickness reductions and increments of unbraced length in the gusset plates buckling capacity, and vii) compare the methods used to determine the buckling capacity and the FEA results. Results demonstrated that the simplified FEM using the fastener technique in Abaqus to simulate rivets provides comparable results with the 3-D deformable solid rivets. However, it cannot be used to study in detail the stress concentration generated around the rivet holes and the rivets. The stresses generated due to tension loads in the FEA are in accordance with the equations used to determine the tension capacity. A 6 % of rivet diameter loss due to corrosion effects generated a reduction strength capacity of approximately 7%. Otherwise, the instability study demonstrated that for a thickness reduction of 15 % of its original thickness and an increment of 30 % of its unbraced length, the gusset plate have a structural reduction capacity of 20% and 6%, respectively. Finally, according to the FEA, results showed that the Thornton method used in the FHWA guidance leads to highly conservative results. The Yoo method is in very close agreement to the FEA, and this study recommends its use instead of Thornton method.