Critical Review and Benchmark Proposal on FE Modeling for Patch Loading Resistance of Slender Steel Plate Girders in Launched Bridges

The patch loading resistance of slender steel plate girders is a critical factor in the design of launched steel and composite steel–concrete bridges. Traditional design methods enhance patch loading resistance through various stiffening techniques, with contributions typically estimated via code ex...

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Main Author: Marck Anthony Mora Quispe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2153
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author Marck Anthony Mora Quispe
author_facet Marck Anthony Mora Quispe
author_sort Marck Anthony Mora Quispe
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description The patch loading resistance of slender steel plate girders is a critical factor in the design of launched steel and composite steel–concrete bridges. Traditional design methods enhance patch loading resistance through various stiffening techniques, with contributions typically estimated via code expressions calibrated on experimental data that do not always reflect the complexities of full-scale bridge applications. Finite Element (FE) modeling offers a more realistic alternative, though its practical application is often hindered by modeling uncertainties and nonlinearities. To bridge this gap, this paper introduces an advanced FE modeling approach. It provides a comprehensive description of an FE model that accurately predicts both the load–displacement behavior and the patch loading resistance. The model is benchmarked against a broad set of experimental tests and systematically investigates the effects of key modeling parameters and their interactions—material stress–strain law, boundary condition representation, stiffness of the load introduction area, initial geometric imperfections, and solving algorithms. Key findings demonstrate that a bilinear elastoplastic material model with hardening is sufficient for estimating ultimate resistance, and kinematic constraints can effectively replace rigid transverse stiffeners. The stiffness of the load application zone significantly influences the response, especially in launched bridge scenarios. Initial imperfections notably affect both stiffness and strength, with standard fabrication tolerances offering suitable input values. The modified Riks algorithm is recommended for its efficiency and stability in nonlinear regimens. The proposed methodology advances the state of practice by providing a simple yet reliable FE modeling approach for predicting patch loading resistance in real-world bridge applications, leading to safer and more reliable structural designs.
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spelling doaj-art-0988677834e04c2798c1fa6ea2c9ce6e2025-08-20T02:35:56ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-06-011513215310.3390/buildings15132153Critical Review and Benchmark Proposal on FE Modeling for Patch Loading Resistance of Slender Steel Plate Girders in Launched BridgesMarck Anthony Mora Quispe0Department of Continuum Mechanics and Theory of Structures, ETS de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Calle del Profesor Aranguren 3, 28040 Madrid, SpainThe patch loading resistance of slender steel plate girders is a critical factor in the design of launched steel and composite steel–concrete bridges. Traditional design methods enhance patch loading resistance through various stiffening techniques, with contributions typically estimated via code expressions calibrated on experimental data that do not always reflect the complexities of full-scale bridge applications. Finite Element (FE) modeling offers a more realistic alternative, though its practical application is often hindered by modeling uncertainties and nonlinearities. To bridge this gap, this paper introduces an advanced FE modeling approach. It provides a comprehensive description of an FE model that accurately predicts both the load–displacement behavior and the patch loading resistance. The model is benchmarked against a broad set of experimental tests and systematically investigates the effects of key modeling parameters and their interactions—material stress–strain law, boundary condition representation, stiffness of the load introduction area, initial geometric imperfections, and solving algorithms. Key findings demonstrate that a bilinear elastoplastic material model with hardening is sufficient for estimating ultimate resistance, and kinematic constraints can effectively replace rigid transverse stiffeners. The stiffness of the load application zone significantly influences the response, especially in launched bridge scenarios. Initial imperfections notably affect both stiffness and strength, with standard fabrication tolerances offering suitable input values. The modified Riks algorithm is recommended for its efficiency and stability in nonlinear regimens. The proposed methodology advances the state of practice by providing a simple yet reliable FE modeling approach for predicting patch loading resistance in real-world bridge applications, leading to safer and more reliable structural designs.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2153patch loadingultimate strengthsteel plate girderfinite element analysisnonlinear analysislaunched bridges
spellingShingle Marck Anthony Mora Quispe
Critical Review and Benchmark Proposal on FE Modeling for Patch Loading Resistance of Slender Steel Plate Girders in Launched Bridges
Buildings
patch loading
ultimate strength
steel plate girder
finite element analysis
nonlinear analysis
launched bridges
title Critical Review and Benchmark Proposal on FE Modeling for Patch Loading Resistance of Slender Steel Plate Girders in Launched Bridges
title_full Critical Review and Benchmark Proposal on FE Modeling for Patch Loading Resistance of Slender Steel Plate Girders in Launched Bridges
title_fullStr Critical Review and Benchmark Proposal on FE Modeling for Patch Loading Resistance of Slender Steel Plate Girders in Launched Bridges
title_full_unstemmed Critical Review and Benchmark Proposal on FE Modeling for Patch Loading Resistance of Slender Steel Plate Girders in Launched Bridges
title_short Critical Review and Benchmark Proposal on FE Modeling for Patch Loading Resistance of Slender Steel Plate Girders in Launched Bridges
title_sort critical review and benchmark proposal on fe modeling for patch loading resistance of slender steel plate girders in launched bridges
topic patch loading
ultimate strength
steel plate girder
finite element analysis
nonlinear analysis
launched bridges
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2153
work_keys_str_mv AT marckanthonymoraquispe criticalreviewandbenchmarkproposalonfemodelingforpatchloadingresistanceofslendersteelplategirdersinlaunchedbridges