High-Temperature Properties of a Long-Span Double-Deck Suspension Bridge under a Tanker Fire

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical study on the high-temperature mechanical properties of a long-span double-deck suspension bridge. The main focus of this paper is the behavior analysis of Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge. A three-dimensional thermal model of the bridge was established by the Fire Dynamics software (FDS) to obtain the 3D temperature field distribution, and the thermal analysis result was then applied to the three-dimensional finite element model of the suspension bridge. The shortest failure time of the main cable and sling was determined to obtain the rescue time of a bridge fire. According to the calculation results of the suspension bridge under a tanker fire initiated at the upper deck of the bridge, the middle lane in the upper deck of the suspension bridge was determined to be a safe lane. Thus, the tanker should be guided to go in this lane of the bridge. The numerical analysis of the experimental results shows that when the fuel tanker is located on the upper and lower floors of the bridge, the bridge structure is affected by the fire. When the oil tanker burns in the outermost lane of the upper bridge, it will have a great impact on the main cables and slings of the bridge. When the fuel tanker burns in the lower nonmotorized lane of the bridge, it will have a great impact on the upper stiffening beam steel plates and truss rods.