Bridge pier caps beam are structural elements of reinforced concrete bridges that are responsible
for receiving the load from the main girders and transversely connecting the piers. This
structural system is part of the bridge's mesostructure, which aims to transmit the bridge's forces
to the foundation. The load-carrying capacity of the bridge pier cap is important for the
performance and safety of the bridge. The technical requirements of the design must comply
with the current normative recommendations, and the technical analysis of the projects is
essential to ensure the quality of the construction. The verification methodology should be
consistent with the geometry, constraints, and structural behavior of the element. For structures
subjected to unusual boundary conditions, the strut-and-tie method proves to be an option, given
its comprehensiveness in cases of geometric discontinuity and loadings. The method works with
an idealized truss within the structural element, representing the flow of discretized
compression forces (struts) and tension forces (ties). This allows for the verification of concrete
strength in critical regions, as well as the determination and arrangement of reinforcements.
Therefore, the present work aims to verify the design of an unconventional bridge pier cap
geometry’s using the strut-and-tie method, with the assistance of STRAP software for the elastic
analysis of stresses. With it, it was possible to outline the truss model and verify it according to
the normative recommendations of ABNT NBR 6118 (2014). Finally, the goal is to contribute
to diversifying the potential applications of the strut-and-tie method for possible situations that
structural engineers may encounter in their professional routine.
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