Non-linear soil–structure interaction of multi-span reinforced concrete integral bridge

Abstract

The response of the substructures and foundation of a multi-span reinforced concrete (RC) integral bridge (IB) was studied in this work. The non-linear action of soil was modelled using the Drucker–Prager yield criterion soil spring model. A five-span IB of length 156 m and having 30 m deep RC piles was considered for two different cases of soil layers. In the first cast case, a uniform soil layer was assumed throughout the entire pile depth and the abutment backfill. In the second case, soil data obtained from the targeted bridge site were used. For both cases, the pile responses due to maximum and minimum yearly and daily temperatures were analysed. A vehicle load of 100 t was coupled with the thermal load to analyse the cumulative response due to temperature, a moving load and non-linear soil behaviour. The results showed that temperature and vehicular load provide a significant contribution to the IB pile response.