Control method for smoothnessin segmental assembly construction of super-long span bridges for high-speed railways

Abstract

The construction deviations of super-long span bridges in high-speed railways during the construction phase directly affect the track smoothness after bridge completion, thereby impacting the operational quality of high-speed trains. This study analyzes the main influencing factors of smoothness control in super-long span bridge construction based on their technical characteristics, proposes a construction-phase bridge smoothness control strategy combining segmental assembly control with holistic assessment and adjustment, and investigates smoothness control methods during segmental assembly using the virtual chord measurement method, supported by case studies. The research demonstrates that implementing smoothness control during construction is essential to ensure post-completion track smoothness of super-long span bridges. The proposed strategy effectively translates smoothness control objectives into key construction phases. The virtual chord measurement method proves highly operable and effective for segmental assembly smoothness control. Post-completion multidimensional evaluations using chord measurement and other techniques can guide track smoothness adjustments. Conducting construction-phase smoothness control for super-long span bridges lays the foundation for achieving high track smoothness objectives on high-speed railway bridges.

Keywords

High-speed railway / Super-long span bridges / Construction control / Segmental assembly / Smoothness / Chord measurement method

References

[1] ChenJ, ChajesMJ, ShentonHW. Impact of wind load characteristics on computed bridge stay-cable forces used for bridge health monitoring. J Bridg Eng, 2023, 28404023007.

[2] FuM, LiangY, FengQ, WuB, TangG. Research on the application of multi-source data analysis for bridge safety monitoring in the reconstruction and demolition process. Buildings, 2022, 1281195.

[3] GaoC, ZhuL, HanB, ZhangC, SuR. The analysis for fatigue caused by vibration of railway composite beam considering time-dependent effect. Advances in Bridge Engineering, 2024, 5123.

[4] GeY, ZhaoL, CaoJ. Case study of vortex-induced vibration and mitigation mechanism for a long-span suspension bridge. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn, 2022, 220. 104866

[5] HeD, QinS, XiaoH, WuS. A novel analytical model for structural analysis of long-span hybrid cable-stayed suspension bridges. Applied Sciences-Basel, 2025, 1531187.

[6] Hui GUO (2022) Recent development and challenges of long-span railway cable-stayed bridges in China. IABSE Congress, Nanjing, China, 338–347. https://doi.org/10.2749/nanjing.2022.0338

[7] JinX. Research progress of high-speed wheel–rail relationship. Lubricants, 2022, 1010248.

[8] LiY, XiangH, WangZ, ZhuJ. A comprehensive review on coupling vibrations of train–bridge systems under external excitations. Railway Engineering Science, 2022, 30(3): 383-401.

[9] LiC, ZouM, LiK, HanY, YanH, CaiC. A study on post-flutter characteristics of a large-span double-deck steel truss main girder suspension bridge. Buildings, 2024, 14103206.

[10] MontenegroPA, CarvalhoH, RibeiroD, CalçadaR, TokunagaM, TanabeM, ZhaiWM. Assessment of train running safety on bridges: A literature review. Eng Struct, 2021, 241. 112425

[11] Mukhopadhyay G (2018). Construction failures due to improper materials, manufacturing, and design. Handbook of Materials Failure Analysis, 59–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-101928-3.00004-5

[12] ShenK, JiangZ, ZhaoJ, ZhouZ, WuQ, QiangQ, WangH. Fire-resistance design and experimental research for the stay cables of super-long span cable-stayed bridge. Advances in Bridge Engineering, 2025, 6(1): 1-22.

[13] Spinelli P, Marra AM & Salvatori L (2023) Super-long-span bridges: Wind-resistant design developments and open issues. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Bridge Engineering, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1680/jbren.23.00020

[14] TB10754-2018, (2018) Standard for acceptance of track works in high-speed railway. National Railway Administration of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, China

[15] TsayJ-Y. Feasibility study of super-long span bridges considering aerostatic instability by a two-stage geometric nonlinear analysis. Int J Struct Stab Dyn, 2021, 2132150033.

[16] WangK, LuC, LiQ. (2021) Study on identifying significant risk sources during bridge construction based on grey entropy correlation analysis method. Math Probl Eng, 2021, 1: 1-15.

[17] WuF, FengC, XiaY. Wufengshan yangtze river bridge: a thousand-meter scale suspension bridge in China. Struct Eng Int, 2022, 32(2): 247-251.

[18] XiangP, HuangW, JiangL, LuD, LiuX, ZhangQ. Investigations on the influence of prestressed concrete creep on train-track-bridge system. Constr Build Mater, 2021, 293. 123504

[19] Xu G (2025) Reviews and Perspectives for Design of Super-Long-Span Railway Suspension Bridge. In G. Xu, Design of Long Span Railway Suspension Bridges (pp. 353–384). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8394-0_12

[20] YangY, XinT, LiQ, WangS, DaiC, KongC. Application of novel fabricated ballastless track on new designed long-span urban bridges. Advances in Bridge Engineering, 2024, 5129.

[21] ZhangY, ShiJ, TanS, WangY. A smoothness control method for kilometer-span railway bridges with analysis of track characteristics. Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 2025, 40(2): 215-242.

Funding

Project of Research and Development of CCCC(2021-ZJKJ-09)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s)