Numerical analysis-based structural behavior assessment of a cable-stayed bridge under tanker fire

Recently, preparation and preventive measures against disasters that can affect the public infrastructure have emerged as a major issue worldwide. Cable-stayed bridges are one of the important infrastructures, damage to which may lead to significant casualties and economic loss in the event of a disaster. Fire accidents involving cable-stayed bridges can cause considerable damage to the structures. In this study, numerical analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of fire on cable-stayed bridges. In previous studies, a fire intensity model (FIM) was proposed to simulate cable-stayed bridges' fire that is an open environment. Heat transfer analysis (HTA) and structural analysis were performed using the proposed model. Although the results of HTA presented that higher temperature rises were observed in cables with smaller cross-sections, the structural behavior of the bridge demonstrated vulnerability when a fire occurred near any cable locations that would greatly affect the behavior of the bridge in the event of damage. Based on fire analysis conducted in this study, it is expected that the findings will enable indirect evaluations of fire damage to cable-stayed bridges.