Numerical Investigation for the Bearing Performance of the Segmental Joint with Elastic Gasket

Abstract

Detailed three-dimensional numerical models considering concrete indentation, bolts, elastic gasket (EG) and sealing gasket (SG) are established for the segmental joint with gaskets, and the load tests of the joints with EG and without EG are simulated and compared. The results reveal that the bearing performance of the joint with EG is very complex. In sagging moment scenarios, it can be divided into four stages by three key points “EG starts to open”, “joint external edge starts to contact” and “EG fully opened”. In hogging moment scenarios, it can be divided into three stages by two key points “SG opened” and “EG starts to open”. The EG has a significant effect on the joint bearing performance. It can soften the joint, which leads to the result that the average bending stiffness and ultimate bearing capacity of the joint with EG are evidently smaller and weaker than those of the joint without EG. With decreasing the joint axial force, this softening effect tends to be more obvious. Besides, for the two joints, the ultimate states of the joints subject to the bending moments are both that the concrete at the joint edges yields firstly, and it is necessary to protect or strengthen the corresponding concrete.