Construction stage analysis of fatih sultan mehmet suspension bridge

In this study, it is aim to perform the construction stage analysis of suspension bridges using time dependent material properties. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Suspension Bridge connecting the Europe and Asia in Istanbul is selected as an example. Finite element models of the bridge are modelled using SAP2000 program considering project drawing. Geometric nonlinearities are taken into consideration in the analysis using P-Delta large displacement criterion. The time dependent material strength variations and geometric variations are included in the analysis. Because of the fact that the bridge has steel structural system, only prestressing steel relaxation is considered as time dependent material properties. The structural behaviour of the bridge at different construction stages has been examined. Two different finite element analyses with and without construction stages are carried out and results are compared with each other. As analyses result, variation of the displacement and internal forces such as bending moment, axial forces and shear forces for bridge deck and towers are given with detail. It is seen that construction stage analysis has remarkable effect on the structural behaviour of the bridge.