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Part 2 Report
Part 2 Report
Inclined Support
INTRODUCTION
Structural systems transfer their loading through a series of elements to the ground. This
is accomplished by designing the joining of the elements at their intersections. Each connection
is designed so that it can transfer, or support, a specific type of loads or loading condition. The
actual behavior of a support or connection can be quite complicated. So much so, that if all of the
various conditions were considered, the design of each support would be terribly lengthy
process. There are cases, however, when the support is inclined, e.g., when the foundation of a
structure rests on a sloped surface rather than on a flat surface.
Inclined support is the inclination angle from the global axis. The joint specified as an
inclined support will then have its global axes rotated by the specified angle, and the support
reactions will be presented with respect to the rotated axes.
This report is a structural study of the static behavior of the Pedestrian Bridge built with
Pratt Truss Deck Bridge. The principal objective of this study was to quantify the effect of
inclined support in order to answer the question: Are sloping supports detrimental to the
structure?
SCOPE OF STUDY
The main features of the Pratt Truss Deck Bridge in particular were solely based on the
given problem. Graphical Rapid Analysis of Structures Program (GRASP) using truss models
were performed to study the static behavior of the bridge. The bridge was studied under the
action of concentrated live load alone. Self-Weight is neglected.
The Pratt Truss Deck Bridge structural behavior was predicted by computer analysis of
two-dimensional linear elastic-truss model using Graphical Rapid Analysis of Structures
Program (GRASP). A two-dimensional analysis was performed indicating that this would be
sufficient to reveal the structural behavior. In models, the structure was represented by discrete
elements, joined at nodes. In the case of supports, specifically roller support under inclined
foundation another member is introduced to represent the inclined support of the structure.
Four models of the Pratt Truss Deck Bridge were used as shown in figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Model A (Figure 1) assumed that the roller support is normal to the foundation. This model
represents the common condition of the bridge. Model B, C and D (Figure 2, 3 and 4) assumed
that the roller support is resting in an inclined surface whose values are 30, 45, and 60 degrees
respectively.
Section properties:
Modulus of Elasticity: 200 GPa
Area = 5890 mm2
Moment of Inertia = 46 x 106 mm4
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRATT TRUSS DECK BRIDGE UNDER LIVE LOADS
A live load analysis using GRASP was performed by applying theconcentrated load
given in the figure for model A, B, C and D. The live load nodal reactions, member axial forces
and nodal displacements are shown in Figure 6, 7 and 8 respectively.
Model A
Model B
Model C
Model D
Model B
Model C
Model D
Model B
Model C
Model D
Displacement (mm)
Node Model A Model B Model C Model D
x y x y x y x y
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 -0.062 -0.498 -0.102 -0.682 -0.131 -0.845 -0.181 -1.187
3 -0.144 -0.694 -0.224 -1.002 -0.282 -1.285 -0.383 -1.893
4 -0.227 -0.498 -0.346 -0.811 -0.433 -1.127 -0.584 -1.850
5 -0.289 0 -0.448 -0.259 -0.564 -0.564 -0.765 -1.326
6 -0.206 -0.471 -0.329 -0.654 -0.438 -0.818 -0.665 -1.159
7 -0.144 -0.676 -0.267 -0.984 -0.376 -1.267 -0.604 -1.874
8 -0.083 -0.471 -0.205 -0.784 -0.314 -1.100 -0.542 -1.822
Table 1 shows the numerical values of the nodal displacement in each model. This shows
that roller support inclination significantly increase the nodal displacements of the structure.
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-0.1
-0.2
-0.3
Model A
-0.4 Model B
-0.5 Model C
Model D
-0.6
-0.7
-0.8
-0.9
Figure 7 shows the graphical representation of the comparison between the horizontal
displacement in each node of the normal roller support and the three inclined roller support. This
shows that as the angle of inclination increases the horizontal displacement in each node also
increases.
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
Model A
-0.8
Model B
-1
Model C
-1.2
Model D
-1.4
-1.6
-1.8
-2
Figure 10 shows the graphical representation of the comparison between the vertical
displacement in each node of the normal roller support and the three inclined roller support. This
shows that as the angle of inclination increases the horizontal displacement in each node also
increases.
CONCLUSION
As the main objective of the study is to quantify the effect of inclined support
in the structure is achieved. By this the researcher concluded that inclined support is detrimental
to the structure. Based on the result of the analysis; the amount of deformation increases as the
angle of inclination under the roller support increases. Obtained results showed that there is a
significant increase in the nodal displacements of the truss as we increase the angle of inclination
of the roller support. Thus, the conditions at each supports greatly influence the behavior of the
elements which makes up each structure system.