Numerical Modelling of Damage Conditions on Herøysund Bridge in Herøy Municipality, Nordland Norway

Abstract

The usability of bridges is highly dependent on their safety conditions since they are subjected to all sorts of loading that might compromise their ability to withstand stresses over a prolonged period. As a result, dynamic response evaluations and fracture mechanics analysis are essential concepts that can help in monitoring the behaviour of bridges, predicting their lifespan, and planning rehabilitation. Therefore, this research endeavoured to investigate the structural behaviour of Herøysund Bridge through analytical computation and numerical simulation of damage conditions in connection with fracture failure anatomization and dynamic response analysis. The computer-aided design (CAD) model of the bridge, with induced cracks, was developed and assembled in SolidWorks based on the existing 2D drawings and photos taken at the bridge site location. The 3D model was then exported to Ansys mechanical APDL solver for finite element examination. The overview of analytical computations on structural vibrations and fractural failure study on bridges were handled. Thereafter, Ansys finite element modelling was performed with regards to dynamics of cracks propagation, modal parametric analysis, harmonic response, response spectrum, and random vibration reviews. Results were generated in terms of stress intensity factors (SIFS) and strain energy release rate (J-integral) of cracks, mode shapes, natural frequencies, phase angle, peak response location, total and directional deformations, and equivalent stresses acting on the bridge model. Finally, the obtained results were discussed, and the conclusions drawn.