Study On Damage Types And Strengthening Methods Of Double Curved Arch Bridge

Because of the merits in the structure, such as novelty, light, saving material, convenient for construction, the double curved arch bridges spread all over the country and were the most models of arch bridges built in our country in 1960s. They made a great contribute for the development of our country's highway and bridge causes. However, the double curved arch bridges had inborn demerits, for the design lever and the load criterions on the low side, and the steel was scarce in the structure. When the bridges were loaded heavily, and in heavy traffic for long time, all of them had some damages after some period of usage. These damages play down the carrying capacity of the bridges, and most of them are expanding, which take from the using life of the bridge. This paper summarizes and analyses the damage types and reasons of the double curved arch bridge, then study structure assessment and strengthening methods which is the same with the double curved arch bridge. Finally, combining with an actual situation, this paper presents the application of prestressed steel arch support method to strengthen double curved arch bridge, and the structural system per and after strengthening are studied with large scale finite element software named SAP2000. It is concluded that the load carrying capacities of the double curved arch bridges can be improved through reasonable strengthening method. This has great significance for dispelling the traffic disease, increasing the passing capacity, and enhancing the service level.