International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827 Volume-4, Issue-1, Jan.

-2017
http://iraj.in
PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS OF BOTLEK BRIDGE
1
PETER ROSKO, 2JURAJKRALIK

Vienna University of Technology, Slovak Technical University

E-mail: 1peter.rosko@tuwien.ac.at, 2juraj.kralik@stuba.sk

Abstract- The paper deals with probabilisticanalysis of the largest movable lift bridge of the world. The bridge system consists
of six reinforced concrete pylons and two steel decks 4000 tons weight eachconnected through ropes with counterweights. The
bridge system is in dynamic mode during movement of the decks and the counterweights, under the action of wind and
earthquakes. The real bridge structure has a high level of significance and accordingly not only deterministic calculations were
carried out but also stochastic analyses were required. The paper focuses the probabilistic analysis as the base of dynamic study
in design process of the bridge.The results had a high importance for practical application and design of the bridge.

Index Terms- dynamics of structures, numerical models, deterministic and stochastic analyses.

I. INTRODUCTION Fig. 1 Botlek bridge visualization

The new Botlekbridgerecently built in Holland

Europe is the largest vertical - lift bridge in the world.
Design and analysis of sophisticated structures of high
importance require more detailed and expensive
analyses,provide an opportunityfor theory
development, comparison of different analysis
proceduresand gaining experiences [1]. Because of
dynamic loading (traffic loads in down position of
decks, movement of decks, wind loads and seismic Fig. 2 Botlek bridge plan
loads), the movable bridge model for deterministic and
consistently the stochastic analysis was developed. III. FINITE ELEMENT MODEL
The paper focuses the probabilistic analysis as the base
of dynamic study in design process of the bridge. The finite element software ANSYS [2], [3] have been
used for all models and analyses. The model of the
II. STRUCTURE bridge was for deterministic and consistently for
probabilistic analysis prepared. Fig. 3 Finite element
Two steel decks,4000 tons weight each,are model of the deck, view: top
independently vertically movable on six concrete
towers the lifting height is 31 m. The length of steel
decks is 96 m, the width 49 m (each deck has
approximately the area of soccer stadium). The lifting
system is fully balanced. The four concrete
counterweights are guided on pylon towers and are
connected through ropes with decks at their ends.

Fig. 3 Finite element model of the deck, view: top

Fig. 4 Detail of deck model, view: bottom

Probabilistic Analysis of Botlek Bridge

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International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827 Volume-4, Issue-1, Jan.-2017
http://iraj.in
V. LOADING

Let consider situation when the both decks are in

upper position. Themass more than 8000 tons is in the
height of more than 30 m supported by six pylons. The
system is sensitive tohorizontal loading e.g. wind
loading, seismic loading. The natural frequencies and
modes of the bridge system influence the dynamic
behavior of the bridge system. The dynamic
component of the loading depends on the base of
Eurocode [5]and on natural frequency of the structure
and can be calculated according to Eurocode
procedure [5].

Fig. 5 Finite element model of the end pylons: piers 30, 50 VI. PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS

The deterministic eigenvalue analysis tested the model

used for the probabilistic analysis.

Fig. 6 Finite element model of the central pylons: pier 40

IV. HORIZONTAL STIFFNESS OF PYLONS

The preliminary analyses have shown, that the vertical

displacements of the tops of the pylons are neglectable
in comparison to the horizontal displacements [1]. For
that reason wasthe simplification of the model in 2D
possible. The model consist of two approximately
rigid plates (decks) with weight G and substituted
thickness H, models of pylons - springs with stiffness
K. SHELL63 and LINK finite elements were applied.

Fig. 7 Scheme of complete system in plan view: two decks,

pylons and counterweights

Probabilistic Analysis of Botlek Bridge

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International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827 Volume-4, Issue-1, Jan.-2017
http://iraj.in
The uncertain parameters K and G (H)were defined as
random input variables.

Fig. 11 Gauss distribution of the stiffness K and the weight G

Special macro has beenwritten in APDL ANSYS [4].

On the base of 15 samples as a product of Monte Carlo
simulation the response surface associated with result
(1st, 2nd and 3rd natural frequencies) was created.
Fig. 14 Simulation sample values: mode 3
The response surface was fitted with scaled random
input variables. 10000 samples using Monte Carlo
simulation were calculated.

Fig. 12 Simulation sample values: mode 1 Fig. 15 Response surface simulation sample values: mode 1

Fig. 13 Simulation sample values: mode 2 Fig. 16 Response surface simulation sample values: mode 2

Probabilistic Analysis of Botlek Bridge

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International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827 Volume-4, Issue-1, Jan.-2017
http://iraj.in
B. Histograms of output parameters

Fig. 17 Response surface simulation sample values: mode 3

Fig. 20Histogram of 1st natural frequency
A. Histogram of input variables

Fig. 18Histogram of stiffness input variables K

Fig. 21 Histogram of 2nd natural frequency

Fig. 19 Histogram of weight input variablesG Fig. 22 Histogram of 3rd natural frequency

Probabilistic Analysis of Botlek Bridge

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International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827 Volume-4, Issue-1, Jan.-2017
http://iraj.in
C. Cumulative distribution function of input
variables

Fig. 26Cumulative distrib.function of 2ndnatural frequency

Fig. 23 Cumulative distribution function of stiffness K

Fig. 27 Cumulative distrib.function of 3rdnatural frequency

Fig. 24 Cumulative distribution function of weight G

E Result set of output parameters - sensitivities
D Result set of output parameters

Fig. 25 Cumulative distribution function of 1stnatural Fig. 28 Sensitivities of 1st natural frequency on stiffness K,
frequency weight G and substituted thickness H

Probabilistic Analysis of Botlek Bridge

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International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827 Volume-4, Issue-1, Jan.-2017
http://iraj.in
CONCLUSION

The paper presents the probability analysis results of

the movable bridge. The decks were considered in top
position. The stiffness of the pylons and weight of
decks were as random input variables defined. The
first, second and the third natural frequencies were as
output parameters defined. The results were useful in
dynamic analysis of wind loading of the bridge.

REFERENCES
[1] NieuweBeweegbareBotlekbrug, Technical Report,
Dynamic Analysis, VCE Consult ZT-GmbH, pp. 1-219,
August 2012.
[2] ANSYS Inc. PDF Documentation for Release 15.0
Mechanical APDLDocumentation, 2013.
[3] ANSYS Mechanical APDL Advanced Analysis Guide,
Release 15.0, pp. 1-396, November 2013
[4] APDL design language & ANSYS theory reference, Ebook,
Asaha
Fig. 29 Sensitivities of 2nd natural frequency on stiffness K, [5] Eurocode 1 (2005): Actions on structures, 2005.
weight G and substituted thickness H

Fig. 30 Sensitivities of 3rd natural frequencies on stiffness K,

weight G and substituted thickness H

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