Prestress losses of Kömürhan bridge

This thesis illustrates the prestress losses and time dependent displacements of Kömürhan Bridge that is built by balanced cantilever method between the years 1983-1986, by ANSYS software. A 3D finite element model reflecting the real condition of the bridge is created with the ANSYS software by taking into account the changes in the material properties and in the boundary conditions. It is aimed to calculate the displacements under vertical loads, creep, shrinkage displacements and prestress losses. Due to excessive displacements, the 143.50 m spanning Kömürhan Bridge whose edge supports are located on the shore, needed to be repaired. The effects of the prestress losses on the excessive deformations are studied by comparing the deformations obtained by the finite element model of the bridge after the truck loads with the real deformations obtained by the measurements at site. In this thesis, it is aimed to investigate the causes of the damages on the bridge by modeling it with the ANSYS finite elements software. The information on the modeling step that comprises the huge part of this study is provided. The displacements of the Kömürhan Bridge due to the prestress losses in 20 years are higher than expected. Due to the damages caused by the excessive displacements and since these damages will continue to increase with time, it is being planned to build a new bridge.Key Words : Kömürhan, prestress bridge, ANSYS, finite element analysis, box girder, creep, shrinkage, prestress losses