STRUCTURAL RESILIENCE ANALYSIS OF STEEL BRIDGE SIMULATION ELEMENTS TO FACE DYNAMIC LOADS OF TRANSPORTATION

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the resilience of steel bridge structures in the face of dynamic loads of transportation through an element simulation approach to serve as a basis for more predictive structural evaluation and management. The research used a qualitative method with a case study design, which was chosen to gain an in-depth understanding of the structural response of steel bridges to traffic load variations as well as technical evaluation practices applied in the field. The qualitative approach and case study design are used because they allow contextual analysis of complex technical phenomena that cannot be fully explained through quantitative data alone. The research location was conducted on a single steel bridge in an urban area with high traffic intensity, which represents the operational conditions of modern transportation. The research informants totaled six people, consisting of structural planners, bridge maintenance engineers, infrastructure managers, and civil engineering academics, who were selected purposively because they had competence and direct involvement in the evaluation of structural resilience. The results of the study show that the simulation of elements is able to identify structural dynamic responses and potential material fatigues more accurately than conventional approaches. This study recommends the application of elemental simulation as an integral part of the evaluation and maintenance of steel bridges to improve the safety and sustainability of transportation infrastructure.