Modeling nonlinear behavior of gusset plates in the truss based steel bridges

Abstract

The truss based steel bridge structures usually consists of gusset plates which lose their load carrying capacity and rigidity under the effect of repeated and dynamics loads. This paper is focused on modeling the nonlinear material behavior of the gusset plates of the Truss Based Bridges subjected to dynamics loads. The nonlinear behavior of material is characterized by a damage coupled elsto-plastic material models. A truss bridge finite element model is established in Abaqus with the details of the gusset plates and their connections. The nonlinear finite element analyses are performed to calculate stress and strain states in the gusset plates under different loading conditions. The study indicates that damage initiation occurred in the plastic deformation localized region of the gusset plates where all, diagonal, horizontal and vertical, truss member met and are critical for shear type of failure due tension and compression interaction. These findings are agreed with the analytical and experimental results obtained for the stress distribution of this kind gusset plate.