Finite element static analysis of polyurethane-sandwiched skewed bridge decks

Abstract

Bridge decks are the surface structure of bridges that carry the weight of the vehicles. But nowadays, the need for a sustainable approach is required. So, the use of a sustainable material for construction and retrofitting purposes is the need of the hour. In the present study, a novel synthetic material polyurethane has been used in the sandwiched deck of the bridges. The study deals with the variation in skew angles to determine the response of the sandwiched bridge deck under Indian loading conditions. In this study, the response of deflection, equivalent stress, and stresses in $X$ and $Y$ directions on the bridge deck due to the variation in skewness, the thickness of the steel plate and the thickness of polyurethane deck are analysed using finite element method. Further, the bridge deck is sandwiched using steel and polyurethane having different thicknesses, and the responses are recorded. Afterward, a bridge deck is modelled using only polyurethane, to pursue sustainability and justify the RRR (reduce, reuse, and recycle) concept of waste management. The models are developed and analysed using ANSYS workbench. On increasing the skew angle for the sandwiched deck, the deflection and stresses are decreased; so, the skewed deck is more effective than the straight one. It is found that the deflection and stresses are reduced about 8 times and 4 times respectively, when the thickness of polyurethane is increased from 250 mm to 1500 mm. Therefore, it is a good and effective solution for pedestrian bridges and many other such small-scale applications.