Computer-Aided Structural Engineering (CASE) Project. Computer-Aided, Field-Verified Structural Evaluation. Report 2. Field Test and Analysis Correlation at John Hollis Bankhead Lock and Dam

The project entitled 'Computer-Aided, Field-Verified Structural Evaluation' is an effort in which analytical and experimental methods are combined to form a unique structural evaluation system. As part of this project, this technical report describes experimental and analytical studies which were conducted for a miter gate leaf at the John Hollis Bankhead Lock and Dam located on the Black Warrior River near Birmingham, AL. Strain was measured at various locations on the leaf while the leaf was subject to two loading conditions consisting of hydrostatic pool differential and gate leaf operation. A simple grid model, a refined grid model, a three-dimensional finite element model and a hybrid grid model were each developed and used for analysis. The hybrid grid model incorporated a unique beam element which accounts for eccentricity of the neutral axis with respect to the member axis. The development of each model and the advantages and disadvantages of each modeling technique are described in detail. Based on experimental measurements, reasonable results were obtained for each model. However, based on overall performance and difficulty of model development, it is recommended that the hybrid grid model be used for modeling of miter lock gates for usual loading conditions... Analytical model, Miter gate leaf, Eccentricity, Strain, Grid, Stress.