Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
3rd International Civil Engineering & Architecture Conference (ICEARC'23), Trabzon, Türkiye, 12 - 14 Ekim 2023, cilt.1, ss.1709-1716
Purpose: This study employed a two-step methodology to
investigate the fire response of a suspension bridge tower, as one of the main
elements under vehicle fire exposure. Study design/methodology/approach: To
fully understand the behavior of the tower, it was exposed to three different vehicle
fire scenarios: passenger car, bus, and truck fire. Fire Dynamic Simulator
(FDS) software was used to simulate the fire behavior and record the
time-temperature developments. The FDS results were used to assess fire
behavior, and the recorded temperatures were transferred to ABAQUS finite
element (FE) analysis for thermal analysis. From the thermal analysis results,
the impact of each vehicle fire on the tower was determined.
Findings: The results highlighted the susceptibility of
suspension bridge’s steel towers to vehicle fire with large spill area. Fires
involving vehicles with smaller spill areas present a less severe threat and
are less likely to result in significant tower damage. Rapid fire control is
critical to mitigate damage and prevent potential tower failure.
Originality/value: The performed fire evaluation has contributed to a
more robust understanding of fire dynamics and enhancing fire safety strategies
for suspension bridges. The results from this study can be used to perform a comprehensive
thermal-structural analysis to determine the potential failure modes and
overall behavior of the bridge under severe fire conditions. The methodology
implemented here can be used as a foundation for similar parametric studies,
extending the scope of analysis to other bridge components such as suspenders
and cables.