An efficient method for analysis of service load stresses in bridge gusset plates

The paper presents modified beam-element modelling of bridge truss girders. Despite its simplicity the technique provides satisfactory accuracy of assessment of stress distribution in bridge truss gusset plates. The modification consists in the introduction of shell elements modelling gusset plates into a beam-element model of a truss girder. In the paper the modified beam-element modelling of a scaled bridge truss girder is compared to regular hybrid modelling that employs beam elements to model members and shell elements to model joints. The ability of both techniques to predict stress in a gusseted joint of the lab tested scaled girder is investigated. Stresses based on recorded strains and those computed using the described technique are compared. Modified beam-element modelling is shown to be a relatively easy and accurate method for bridge gusset plate analysis.