Avoiding Bridge Failure: The Effect of Material and Bridge Structure type on Ultimate Bridge Strength

Abstract

Bridge failure can be catastrophic, hence the need to continuously improve bridge designs. But what material type or bridge structure type can be used to make the strongest bridge? The purpose of this research paper is to investigate how material type (wood, concrete, steel, etc.) and bridge structure type (beam, arch, and truss), in combination, affect bridge strength. In this research paper, a recommendation of the best material type and bridge structure type suitable for bridge construction will be made. A Static Stress Analysis Simulation was performed on several bridge designs of different materials and structures to determine the maximum von Mises stress for each, under normal bridge loading conditions. These bridges were first designed then simulated using Autodesk Inventor Software 2019 and based on the statistical results obtained from a Two-way Analysis of Variance ANOVA test at 95% significance level, the highest average maximum von Mises stress for bridges of structure type truss and bridges of material type steel suggest that under static stress analysis simulation conditions similar to ours, truss bridges and steel bridges are the strongest, hence are ideal for bridge construction. In this research study, we are interested in how the two factors – material type and bridge structure, in interaction, affect bridge strength.