Three dimensional analysis of Vierendeel box girders

Abstract

A new tipology has been proposed for the railway Bridge over the Ebro River in the High Speed Line Madrid-Barcelo-na-French Border. It is a continuous prestressed concrete box girder with perforated webs and upper ribs. The spans distribution is 42 + 60 + 120 + 60 + 42 m. The analysis methodology is developed using three dimensional finite element models and beam elements with shear deformation. The obtention of the global mechanical properties is shown. The main specific structural problems are dealt both the global deck response and the local effects from its construction and its service life behaviour.