Time dependent nonlinear analysis of segmantally erected cable stayed bridges

In this thesis time dependent nonlinear analysis of segmentally erected cable stayed bridges are performed for the environmental conditions of creep, shrinkage and aging of concrete and relaxation of steel. With this aim, depending on the modelling of the bridge deck, three different analytical models are used to obtain the 3D finite element model of the Quincy Bayview cable-stayed bridge which is considered as a numerical example in the study. So, the modeling method of using frame deck elements and rigid link elements for cable-stayed bridge decks are verified by considering plate elements for the deck. The nonlinear staged construction analysis of the Quincy Bayview bridge is performed with the finite element code LARSA 2000. A series of construction stages, which show the construction progress of the bridge, are analyzed with this code. The analysis phase is divided into two phases: The construction phase and the service phase. In the analyses, while 33 stages which cover 970 days are considered for the construction phase, 3 stages which lasts up to 10 years are used for the service phase. The analytical models of the selected numerical example are solved by considering the self weight and the enviromental conditions. The bridge responses are then compared with respect to the enviromental conditions.