MIDAS EXPERT NETWORK: Effects of Long-Term Deformations on Geometrically Complex Bridges

In this session, MIDAS Expert Percy Penafiel, PE, at Nevada Department of Transportation, focuses on the effects of long-term deformations on geometrically complex bridges.

We look at how NVDOT uses shrinkage and creep deformations, which were calculated to demonstrate how these deformations can affect other bridge components in cases where the geometry of the bridge is complex. This work was based on an existing bridge located in Las Vegas. The bridge was built in 1995. Over the years, the bridge was inspected noticing large deformations at the expansion joints along with strip seal failures, cracks in wingwalls and shear keys. These repairs generated additional maintenance cost that could be avoided using sophisticated analysis during the design phase. It should be noted that software capabilities as today were not available at that time. MIDAS Civil was used to model the bridge and results were compared to simplify methods.

Key Takeaways: 

⭐Understand deformations and their impact on other bridge components, particularly in complex bridge geometries.
⭐Identify large deformations at expansion joints, strip seal failures, cracks in wing walls, and shear key issues.