Performance degradation prediction of extra-wide concrete self-anchored suspension bridge under vehicle load considering time-dependent effects

In order to study the influence of concrete shrinkage and creep effect and temperature change on the extra-wide concrete self-anchored suspension bridge under vehicle load, the Hunan Road Bridge, which is the widest concrete self-anchored suspension bridge in China, was chosen as background. Firstly, the refined finite element model (FEM) was established, which was validated by the measured data of field load test. Secondly, the structural states at different ages were predicted. Finally, the evolution laws of component responses were analyzed. The research results show that the bearing type of girder has significant influence on the response change trends. The shear lag effect of girder and local effect of wheel are significant. Under the temperature rise of 20 & DEG;C and standard vehicle load, the maximum tower displacement is 0.033 m after 30 years. In addition, the longitudinal tensile stress in most area of bottom plate at middle section exceeds 5 MPa. Moreover, the difference of girder deflection between road centerline and edge reaches 0.07 m under eccentric load after 10 years. The research results can provide an important basis for the health monitoring and safety evaluation of similar extra-wide concrete self-anchored suspension bridges.