Structural Integrity Assessment of a Four-Span Parker Truss Bridge with Multiple Damaged Members under Combined Horizontal and Vertical Loading

Parker truss bridges are widely used in transportation infrastructures due to their structural efficiency and optimized load distribution provided by their variable-depth configuration. However, the presence of damaged members combined with complex loading conditions may significantly influence their structural behavior and overall stability. This study investigates the structural response of a four-span Parker truss bridge containing two damaged members under the simultaneous action of horizontal and vertical loads. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed using Abaqus software to simulate the structural performance of the bridge. The analysis focuses on the resulting displacement patterns and stress distribution within the truss system in the presence of multiple localized damages. The numerical results demonstrate that the interaction between combined loading and member degradation leads to pronounced asymmetry in the displacement field and notable stress concentrations in adjacent structural components. Furthermore, the loss of two structural members significantly alters the internal force paths and reduces the redundancy of the truss system, increasing the demand on neighboring elements. The findings highlight the importance of considering combined loading scenarios and multiple damage conditions in the safety assessment and maintenance planning of aging truss bridge structures.

کلیدواژه ها:

Parker truss bridge ، stability ، multiple localized damages