Finite Element Analysis of the New Svinesund Bridge: Design model conversion and analysis of the arch launching

Report, 2004

During the construction of the New Svinesund Bridge, a monitoring project is conducted on behalf of the Swedish road administration (Vägverket). The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) is leading this project and is responsible for instrumentation, analysis and documentation in the project. As a part of the monitoring project, a finite element model was accomplished at Chalmers University of Technology, department of structural Engineering and Mechanics. Parallel to the monitoring project, a project concerning bridge assessment and maintenance based on FE analysis and field measurements was initiated at Chalmers University of Technology (Chalmers) on behalf of the Swedish road administration (Vägverket) and the Swedish railway administration (Banverket). The FE model was further developed within this project. The model is intended to be used both by the Royal Institute and Chalmers in their further work with the bridge. A finite element (FE) model of the New Svinesund Bridge was developed, and a simplified analysis of the construction of the bridge was made. The FE model was based on the structural model made by the bridge contractor, Bilfinger Berger (2004). The FE model was verified through comparisons with results obtained from the contractor, using the design model of the bridge. Eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes for different stages during the arch launching were calculated. These were found to correspond reasonably well to what was calculated by Bilfinger Berger, even though the FE analysis gave a little lower eigenfrequencies. The completed bridge was analysed for distributed external loads on the carriageways. The sectional moments and forces in the arch, obtained in the FE analysis showed a good agreement with the results from Bilfinger Berger. The deformations of the arch showed a reasonably good agreement between the models.