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Symmetry
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Symmetry and Finite Element Method in Civil Engineering
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Symmetry and Finite Element Method in Civil Engineering

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Engineering and Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2694

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lei Jiang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Highway, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
Interests: bridge engineering; steel and composite bridge; concrete-filled steel tubular bridge; structural analysis; fatigue assessment; long-life design theory
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Cong Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Fujian University of Technology, Fuzhou, China
Interests: green ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC); steel-UHPC composite structure in bridge engineering; concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) structure; CFST and CFST melan arch bridge
Dr. Jiang Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Highway, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
Interests: steel–concrete composite girder bridges; concrete-filled steel tubular bridges; steel bridges; bridge temperature action; long-life design theory
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jian Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering & Architecture, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
Interests: UHPC materials and structural applications; solid waste recycling and utilization; concrete-filled steel tube composite structures

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Symmetry principles and the finite element method (FEM) play pivotal roles in advancing civil engineering, offering innovative solutions for structural design, material behavior analysis, and dynamic response prediction. Symmetry simplifies complex problems, reduces computational costs, and enhances design efficiency, while the FEM is indispensable for simulating real-world engineering challenges. However, the integration of symmetry-driven approaches with modern FEM techniques remains underexplored, particularly in optimizing sustainable and resilient infrastructure. This Special Issue seeks to bridge this gap by showcasing cutting-edge research at the intersection of symmetry, computational mechanics, and civil engineering applications.

We seek the submission of papers that explore how symmetry principles enhance FEM-based modeling, optimization, and analysis in civil engineering systems. Topics include symmetry-aware FEM algorithms, applications in structural optimization, material homogenization, and dynamic/thermal analyses, as well as case studies demonstrating efficiency gains in large-scale projects. This Special Issue aligns with the journal’s focus on computational methods and structural innovation, aiming to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and promote sustainable engineering practices.

Original research articles are welcome, covering themes such as symmetry in structural design, FEM advancements, topology optimization, multiscale modeling, and AI-driven simulations. Submissions addressing challenges in symmetry preservation, computational scalability, and real-world validation are encouraged.

We look forward to receiving your contributions, thus advancing this transformative field.

Dr. Lei Jiang
Prof. Dr. Cong Li
Dr. Jiang Liu
Dr. Jian Yang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • symmetry
  • finite element method
  • civil engineering
  • structural optimization
  • computational mechanics
  • material modeling
  • dynamic analysis
  • sustainable design
  • multiscale simulation
  • topology optimization

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 12109 KB  
Article
Stability of Return-Type Cable Gravity Anchors Under Predominantly Horizontal Loading: Asymmetric Stress Evolution, Model Tests and Numerical Verification
by Yu Zhu, Keyuan Ding and Dejun Gao
Symmetry 2026, 18(5), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18050754 - 27 Apr 2026
Viewed by 298
Abstract
Return-type cable suspension bridges transfer the main-cable force to the anchorage predominantly in the horizontal direction, which may induce coupled sliding–overturning instability of the anchorage–foundation system. This study examines the stability of return-type cable gravity anchorage using the composite anchorage of the Jixin [...] Read more.
Return-type cable suspension bridges transfer the main-cable force to the anchorage predominantly in the horizontal direction, which may induce coupled sliding–overturning instability of the anchorage–foundation system. This study examines the stability of return-type cable gravity anchorage using the composite anchorage of the Jixin Expressway Yellow River Three Gorges Bridge as the prototype. A 1:100 laboratory specimen was designed based on similarity theory and tested under incremental loading until failure. Four configurations were considered by combining two embedment ratios (1/4 and 1/2) with two base types (flat-base and shear-keyed). Horizontal displacement, overturning angle, interface contact stress, and foundation strain were monitored throughout loading. Because the return-type cable transmits a predominantly horizontal force, the anchorage–foundation contact stress exhibits pronounced asymmetry between the toe and heel regions, and this stress asymmetry governs the coupled sliding–overturning instability mode. The shallow flat-base case exhibited a distinct displacement and contact stress jump at high load levels, followed by rapid rotation, indicating slip–tilt coupled instability. Increasing embedment improved confinement and delayed the onset of nonlinear deformation, but the flat-base configuration still showed pronounced toe stress concentration. By contrast, the shear-keyed base mobilized cooperative bearing of the surrounding foundation, producing smoother stress–strain evolution and higher ultimate capacity. Moreover, the shear-keyed base mitigates the stress asymmetry at the anchorage–foundation interface, leading to a more symmetric distribution of contact pressure and improved overall stability. Three-dimensional finite-element simulations reproduced the measured trends in displacement, stress concentration near the toe, and strain development, providing independent verification. The results clarify the dominant instability mechanism of return-type cable gravity anchors and offer design implications for embedment depth and shear-keyed base detailing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetry and Finite Element Method in Civil Engineering)
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28 pages, 5904 KB  
Article
Prestressing Design Targeting a Desired Structural Curvature State to Mitigate Time-Dependent Deflection of Long-Span Prestressed Concrete Bridges
by Shiyu Wu, Zhao Liu and Giovanni Di Luzio
Symmetry 2026, 18(3), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18030456 - 6 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 415
Abstract
Excessive deflection during the service period of long-span prestressed concrete (PC) bridges remains a persistent challenge in bridge engineering. This study proposes a prestressing design strategy for PC bridges that targets a desired structural curvature (DSC) by counteracting self-weight and external loads, thereby [...] Read more.
Excessive deflection during the service period of long-span prestressed concrete (PC) bridges remains a persistent challenge in bridge engineering. This study proposes a prestressing design strategy for PC bridges that targets a desired structural curvature (DSC) by counteracting self-weight and external loads, thereby controlling both the initial curvature and its time-dependent evolution associated with prestress losses. The proposed framework was verified through a numerical simulation of a long-term simply supported beam test lasting 1350 days, showing that the mid-span deflection was significantly mitigated and the stress distributions were changed under sustained loading. Furthermore, the applicability of the proposed method is demonstrated through evaluations of two in-service long-span PC girder bridges. Compared with the original designs, the proposed method effectively controls excessive mid-span deflection and improves the bending moment (BM) and stress distributions. For the three-span PC rigid frame bridge constructed using the symmetrical cantilever method, the mid-span deflection was reduced by approximately 63% at 3500 days of service and remained stable after retrofitting. For the five-span continuous PC bridge erected by means of symmetrical cantilever construction, the secondary mid-span deflection at 4800 days was reduced by nearly 70%, satisfying serviceability requirements. These results demonstrate that the proposed DSC-based prestressing design method provides an effective and practical solution for mitigating time-dependent deflection of long-span PC bridges and ensuring robust performance throughout the service life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetry and Finite Element Method in Civil Engineering)
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22 pages, 9349 KB  
Article
Deformation Response of Corrugated Steel Pipe Arch Bridges Under Differential Foundation Settlement
by Kaixuan Sun, Lei Jiang, Yi Shi, Zhaomin Ning, Mingyue Wang, Tao Li, Lei Cui and Changhao Hu
Symmetry 2026, 18(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18020267 - 31 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 479
Abstract
To investigate the deformation behavior of corrugated steel pipe arch bridges subjected to differential foundation settlement, this study examines a ten-span continuous corrugated steel pipe arch bridge as the engineering background. A one-year field monitoring program was conducted to record the settlement of [...] Read more.
To investigate the deformation behavior of corrugated steel pipe arch bridges subjected to differential foundation settlement, this study examines a ten-span continuous corrugated steel pipe arch bridge as the engineering background. A one-year field monitoring program was conducted to record the settlement of each span, and the spatial distribution pattern, annual cumulative settlement, and settlement growth rate were evaluated. Numerical analyses were then performed to compare the deformation response of the bridge under ideal foundation conditions, differential foundation settlement, and vehicle loading. Based on the numerical results, the effectiveness of a concrete lining installed inside the corrugated steel pipe was further assessed. The results show that the settlement of the side spans is significantly larger than that of the middle spans due to the differential foundation settlement in the mining area. The maximum annual cumulative settlement at the side span (span 2) reaches 21.66 mm, which is approximately 4.1 times that of the middle span (span 6). During the monitoring period, the settlement growth rate was high in the early stage (1~3 months), reaching up to 30 percent, and gradually stabilized to about 10 percent per month in the later stage. Compared with the ideal foundation condition, differential settlement increases the pipe stress by a factor of 3.4 and amplifies the deformation by a factor of 9.1. Vehicle loading has a pronounced effect on the deformation of the pipe crown, increasing the settlement by approximately 9 percent, while its influence on the pipe invert is relatively small, with an increase of about 4 percent. Installing a 100 mm thick concrete lining inside the corrugated steel pipe has limited influence on the overall load-carrying behavior but reduces the deformation by 10~20 percent. This reinforcement method is suitable for applications in existing bridges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetry and Finite Element Method in Civil Engineering)
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21 pages, 7386 KB  
Article
Numerical Analysis of Failure Mechanism in Through Tied-Arch Bridges: Impact of Hanger Damage and Arch-Beam Combination Parameters
by Bing-Hui Fan, Qi Sun, Su-Guo Wang, Qiang Chen, Bin-Bin Zhou and Jin-Qi Zou
Symmetry 2025, 17(11), 1823; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym17111823 - 30 Oct 2025
Viewed by 766
Abstract
To investigate the influence mechanism of hanger damage and arch-beam combined parameters on the failure behavior of tied-arch bridges, this study employs an advanced damage failure model within the LS-DYNA. A comprehensive simulation of the entire failure process was conducted, considering the coupled [...] Read more.
To investigate the influence mechanism of hanger damage and arch-beam combined parameters on the failure behavior of tied-arch bridges, this study employs an advanced damage failure model within the LS-DYNA. A comprehensive simulation of the entire failure process was conducted, considering the coupled effects of hanger damage parameters and structural parameters of the arch-beam system, using a tied-arch bridge as the engineering case. The primary innovation of this study lies in overcoming the limitations of previous research, which has largely been confined to single hanger failure or static parameter analysis, by achieving, for the first time, dynamic tracking and quantitative identification of structural failure paths under the coupled influence of multiple parameters. The results demonstrate that both the severity and spatial distribution pattern of hanger damage significantly influence the structural failure mechanism. When damage is either uniformly distributed across the bridge or relatively concentrated—particularly when long hangers experience severe degradation—the structure becomes susceptible to cascading stress redistribution, substantially increasing the risk of global progressive collapse. This finding provides a theoretical foundation for developing risk-informed maintenance and repair strategies for hangers. It is therefore recommended that practical maintenance efforts prioritize monitoring the condition of long hangers and regions with concentrated damage. Furthermore, variations in arch-beam combined parameters are shown to have a significant effect on the structure’s collapse resistance. For the case bridge studied herein, the original design parameters achieve an optimal balance between anti-collapse performance and economic efficiency, underscoring the importance of rational parameter selection in enhancing system robustness. This work offers both theoretical insights and numerical tools for evaluating and optimizing the collapse-resistant performance of under-deck tied-arch bridges, contributing meaningful engineering value toward improving the safety and durability of similar structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetry and Finite Element Method in Civil Engineering)
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