The existing bridge was located on Aleppo-Damascus Highway, and was an important busy link, see fig (119). It had two lanes in each direction, median and sidewalks. The bridge had 14 simple supported spans post-tensioned concrete T girders, without diaphragms, and with 42.8 m length for each span, see fig (120). The bridge suffered big deflections and vibration to the extent that it affected the pavements and the expansion joints. Every year there should be a new pavement replaced the severely cracked one. See Appendix for further pictures.
My Role in the Project (in Detail):
1) I simulated the bridge behavior using 3D finite element grillage technique, see fig (121). I obtained from the analysis the deflections due to the real existing moving loads on the bridge.
2) I participated in finding three solutions and I compared them. I modeled those alternatives and analyzed them, and they were:
· Increase the slab thickness by casting new reinforced concrete overlay with steel shear studs anchored by epoxy.
· Increase the stiffness by adding integrated (monolithic) parapets to the superstructure; these had steel section embedded within.
· Balance between the two former alternatives together.
All these alternatives aimed to increase the moment of inertia and to shift the neutral axis of the whole superstructure (i.e. the stresses in the beams acceptable after adding weight). Unfortunately the project after finishing the study was put off and assumed to be done in another Ministry’s strategic plan, and that has not happened yet.
