Numerical simulations of a grouted joint for an integral composite frame bridge

Abstract Hot-dip galvanizing is a profitable and sustainable procedure to protect steel components from corrosion: in the past, hot-dip galvanized components have been avoided largely because of concerns regarding the fatigue behaviour. Current research has shown that hot-dip galvanized components can be used for bridge constructions under certain conditions: the results are new alternative solutions for anti-corrosion coatings of bridge constructions and the usage of hot-dip-galvanized steel components could improve the sustainability and profitability of prefabricated composite bridges. One of the dominant problem linked to hot galvanizing is the limited length of the deck that can be galvanized. In order to overcome this problem, the main ambition was that to create a weld-free grouted joint in these hot-dip galvanized structures. The technical University of Munich has begun to study and develop this new type of joint. The aim of this thesis is the numerical simulation of a particular grouted joint in order to define its own geometry and its behaviour, and also to investigate how the stresses are exactly distributed inside of it and, at the end, to highlight how the presence of the joint affects the entire behaviour of the bridge under investigation. The purpose of this thesis is the creation of a parametric model of the joint that allows to understand and investigate which is the best geometry to choose. To achieve this goal, the behaviour of the whole bridge without internal joints is first analysed by creating a 3D model on Abaqus. The model is validated by comparing the results with that obtained from the analysis of the same bridge modelled on Sofistik. Sofistik model is important to define M_max , M_min and shear force on joint. Knowing that, it is possible to design the parametric 3D model of the joint on Abaqus: it allows to understand which are the most important parameters to be define. Once create the model, the subsequent step is to insert the joint into the whole bridge and analysed what is its effect on the entire structure. After all these investigations, it could be interest to go on with the studies: the next step could be to analyse the response of the joint in nonlinear field, under the effect of creep and shrinkage, for example.