Determination of structural behavior of highway bridges using analytical and experimental methods

In this thesis, structural behaviors of highway bridges are determined using analytical and experimental methods. For this purpose, analytical and experimental studies are done on a laboratory bridge model andKömürhan and Gülburnu Highway Bridges.Three main sections are considered in this thesis. In the first section of the thesis; background of dynamic behavior of highway bridges, finite element and experimental modal analysis methods, and formulation of these methods are represented. In the second section of the thesis, analytical and experimental studies done on a laboratory bridge model and Kömürhan and Gülburnu Highway Bridges, and findings from these studies are considered. The second section of the thesis is separated to two main parts. In the first part; dynamic characteristics of laboratory bridge model are determined using analytical and experimental methods. Finite element model of laboratory bridge model is constituted and analytical dynamic characteristics are obtained. Ambient and forced vibration tests are conducted to laboratory bridge model and experimental dynamic characteristics are determined. In addition, analytical and experimental results are compared to each other. In the second part; two and three dimensional finite element models of Kömürhan and Gülburnu Highway Bridges considering soil-structure interaction are modeled and dynamic characteristics are determined analytically. To validate the analytical results, ambient vibration tests are applied to the bridges and dynamic characteristics are determined experimentally. Finite element models of the bridges are updated according to experimental results using some uncertain parameters such as material properties and boundary conditions. Linear time history analyses of both of initial and updated finite element models are performed. Also, construction stage analyses of Kömürhan Highway Bridge considering time dependent material properties are done to determine the nonlinear behavior. In the third section of the thesis; conclusions and some suggestions related to the thesis study are represented. Lastly, references and autobiography are represented.