Wildlife Crossing AM2 in Carinthia, Austria
Customer Project
Wildlife crossing AM2 was built using a construction method for concrete shell structures called Pneumatic Forming of Hardened Concrete (PFHC). This new method was developed by TU Wien in the context of the research project titled "Double Curved Shell Structures".
| Investor and Design |
Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) www.oebb.at |
| Geometry Optimization and Structural Analysis |
Technische Universität Wien Institute of Structural Engineering www.tuwien.ac.at |
The new bridge spans the new double-track line of the Koralm Railway in the south of Carinthia. In order to test as many design details as possible, a first test shell on a scale of 1:2 was built, now being used as roofing for events.
Functioning of Construction Method PFHC
First, a flat concrete slab with wedge-shaped outlets, in which wedge-shaped air cushions are mounted, is cast. On the slab's edge, unbonded tendons are placed in sheaths. Subsequent to the concrete hardening, an air cushion lying underneath is blown up, transforming the concrete slab into a double curved shell. At the end of the transformation, the tensioning cables are additionally prestressed. They are anchored as soon as all the joints are sealed with concrete or grout.
Construction of Wildlife Crossing
The thickness of the transformed shell is 4 in and supplemented by a concrete topping of 14 in. Fine cracks arising during the transformation are sealed by this additional layer of concrete. The bottom side of the shell is free from cracks due to the compression zone located there during the transformation.
The entire shell structure of the bridge has ground plan dimensions of 120.5 ft x 127 ft and a height of 29 ft. Its shape is based on the supporting structure's optimization corresponding to the occurring loads and given boundary conditions. Due to this optimization, a state of membrane stress is reached which is favorable for the structural behavior.
The ecological balance of the wildlife crossing has been impressive. In comparison with a reinforced concrete frame originally planned as a crossing alternative, the environmental pollution can be reduced by about 40%, evaluated with regard to the global warming potential (CO2 equivalents).
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Options in RFEM for Considering Construction Stages
The current state of the development of finite element analysis software and computer technology allows the calculation of more complex structures. With increasing frequency, the FE calculation is performed on the entire model. In this context, certain practical construction problems may appear. One of these problems is the consideration of a construction process in the model.
Material Model Orthotropic Masonry 2D
The material model Orthotropic Masonry 2D is an elastoplastic model that additionally allows softening of the material, which can be different in the local x- and y-direction of a surface. The material model is suitable for (unreinforced) masonry walls with in-plane loads.
- How can I display the deformation in the current construction stage and in relation to the initial system in RF‑STAGES?
- Is it possible to define orthotropic surface loads in RFEM? I would like to subject a surface to different temperature loads by a direction.
- The calculation of my model results in unrealistically high stresses at many locations. What is the reason?
- Is it also possible to enter the temperature for a surface in the XZ plane by using the height (variable in Z)?
- Does Dlubal Software provide any solution for composite bridge construction, or perhaps also verification examples or reference objects?
- In the case of the "Initial strain from other LC/CO" feature, I cannot retrace internal forces. How is this function mapped internally?
- Which analysis is used in RF‑STAGES or STAGES to calculate temporary loads and the generated combinations?
- How is it possible to enter the values for skin friction and pile end resistance during displaying of bored piles when designing member elastic foundations in the program?
- Can I use surface releases to separate two overlapping surfaces?
- I obtain different results when comparing the deformation analysis in the RF‑CONCRETE add-on modules and another calculation program. What could be the reason for this?
Programs Used for Structural Analysis
Main Program
Structural engineering software for finite element analysis (FEA) of planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, members (beams), solids and contact elements
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