Design of Elements
Aracataca bridge is a rail way bridge in Magdolina reigeon Colombia. our task was to make a detailed structural assessment for the existing bridge and propose a retrofitting scheme if possible. Due to the extreme deterioration and poor structural condition, retrofitting of the existing bridge was not the optimum solution. The main system, contains of lower and upper chord with bracings members, is replaced with a new sufficient designed memebers. AREMA 2016 is adopted in bridge design.
Finite Element Analysis
A full 3-D analysis model is developed to model the bridge using an analysis software. Bridge member forces are computed and designed. All members are modeled using frame elements and depth of cross sections are modeled using rigid links to take into account the difference between bracing level and lower chord.
210
Hours of Work
Dec. 2018
Construction Date
44.6m
Span
1.030.000$
Budget
Colombia
Location
Bridge Dimensions
The Aracataca bridge superstructure is 44.6 meters long. The bridge rests on two abutments at both ends. The width of the bridge is 5.50 m and 9.0m in height. The Bridge is designed to sustain a railway to pass a train of E-60 class. The following figure shows the site plan with the old bridge and the new bridge on the bottom.
Loading
The bridge is designed on all applicable loads types. Dead and E-60 live load is introduced in our design including rocking effect. Wind load is assigned to truss members to simulate the actual behavior. Loading combinations are adopted from AREMA 2016.
