TY - GEN
T1 - Analysis of critical gusset plates in the collapsed I-35W Bridge
AU - Liao, Minmao
AU - Okazaki, Taichiro
AU - Ballarini, Roberto
AU - Schultz, Arturo E
AU - Galambos, Theodore V.
PY - 2009/9/14
Y1 - 2009/9/14
N2 - Investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggests that inadequate design of gusset plates played a key role in the collapse of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The particular gusset plate connection was at a panel point designated as U10. Further understanding of the behavior of the U10 gusset plates is essential. In the present study, the U10 gusset plates were analyzed using detailed nonlinear finite element models. The forces delivered to panel point U10 were reproduced using available information of the bridge. These forces were, in turn, used to calculate possible stress and strain states of the U10 gusset plates. The results indicate that substantial portions of the U10 gusset plates were yielded at the time of collapse. Weight increase due to deck reconstruction, staged construction materials, and thermal effects, along with insufficient strength of the gusset plate, seem to be the main contributing factors to the substantial yielding. The results also suggest that the interaction of largecompression and large shear should be addressed. This interaction is not well understood.
AB - Investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggests that inadequate design of gusset plates played a key role in the collapse of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The particular gusset plate connection was at a panel point designated as U10. Further understanding of the behavior of the U10 gusset plates is essential. In the present study, the U10 gusset plates were analyzed using detailed nonlinear finite element models. The forces delivered to panel point U10 were reproduced using available information of the bridge. These forces were, in turn, used to calculate possible stress and strain states of the U10 gusset plates. The results indicate that substantial portions of the U10 gusset plates were yielded at the time of collapse. Weight increase due to deck reconstruction, staged construction materials, and thermal effects, along with insufficient strength of the gusset plate, seem to be the main contributing factors to the substantial yielding. The results also suggest that the interaction of largecompression and large shear should be addressed. This interaction is not well understood.
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U2 - 10.1061/41031(341)237
DO - 10.1061/41031(341)237
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:69949120565
SN - 9780784410318
T3 - Proceedings of the 2009 Structures Congress - Don't Mess with Structural Engineers: Expanding Our Role
SP - 2159
EP - 2168
BT - Proceedings of the 2009 Structures Congress - Don't Mess with Structural Engineers
T2 - 2009 Structures Congress - Don't Mess with Structural Engineers: Expanding Our Role
Y2 - 30 April 2009 through 2 May 2009
ER -