Structural Analysis of a Six Span Pratt Steel Truss Bridge under Horizontal Load

Steel truss bridges are widely used in bridge engineering due to their high strength to weight ratio, structural efficiency, and suitability for medium spans. Among different truss configurations, the Pratt truss is one of the most commonly used systems because of its efficient arrangement of tension and compression members. In this study, the structural behavior of a six span Pratt steel truss bridge subjected to horizontal loading is investigated. A numerical model of the structure was developed in Abaqus, and horizontal loads were applied to the bridge structure to evaluate its response. Internal member forces, displacements, and stress distribution within the structure were then analyzed. The results indicate that the applied horizontal load significantly influences the distribution of axial forces in the truss members. The analysis shows that certain diagonal and chord members experience increased stresses due to the lateral loading effect. The maximum internal forces are observed in the central spans of the bridge, while the edge spans experience comparatively lower values. The findings of this study provide useful insights into the structural performance and stability of steel truss bridges under horizontal loading conditions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Steel truss bridges ، Pratt truss ، horizontal loads