Finite Element Analysis of a Highway Bridge Hinge

A highway bridge hinge is a very important element in bridge design. It releases thermal stresses that may be developed in the superstructure or the substructure of a bridge. A common industry practice in formulating a hinge along a steel bridge is to cope the top or bottom flanges of I beams. The cut, if not properly designed, can result in high stress concentrations around sharp corner of the cut. In this paper, the stress concentration effect at the hinge was studied and a low stress highway bridge hinge configuration is recommended for use.