Construction stage analysis of Komurhan Highway Bridge using time dependent material properties

The aim of this study concerns with the construction stage analysis of highway bridges constructed with balanced cantilever method using time dependent material properties. Kmrhan Highway Bridge constructed with balanced cantilever method and located on the 51st km of Elazi-Malatya, Turkey, highway over Firat River is selected as an application. Finite element models of the bridge are modelled using SAP2000 program. Geometric nonlinearity is taken into consideration in the analysis using P-Delta plus large displacement criterion. The time dependent material strength variations and geometric variations are included in the analysis. Elasticity modulus, creep and shrinkage are computed for different stages of the construction process. The structural behaviour of the bridge at different construction stages has been examined. Two different finite element analyses with and without construction stages are carried out and results are compared with each other. As analyses result, variation of internal forces such as bending moment, axial forces and shear forces for bridge deck and column are given with detail. It is seen that construction stage analysis has remarkable effect on the structural behaviour of the bridge.