Concentrated load distribution in corrugated steel decks: A parametric finite element study

Abstract

This paper presents results of an extensive parametric finite element study on a concentrated load distribution in corrugated steel decks. The parametric study was conducted using fine element models developed in ANSYS. Optimal parameters of the finite element models, such as mesh density, deck corner radius, and initial geometric imperfection distributions and magnitudes, were selected based on a study to meet the criteria of accuracy and computational efficiency. The finite element models with the optimal parameters showed good agreement with available test results. In the numerical parametric study, effects of the following parameters on strength and behavior of deck, as well as on the effective transverse distribution width, were studied: deck type, steel thickness, deck span condition, deck span length, concentrated load locations along deck span, and concentrated load application to different elements of the deck cross-section. Design equations for predicting the effective transverse distribution widths were developed. The effective transverse distribution widths predicted by the developed equations agreed well with the transverse distribution widths obtained from the finite element simulations. The paper also presents a worked example showing implementation of the design equations for design of steel deck under concentrated loads.