Abstract
Steel I-girders are flexible in torsion. The design stage for curved steel I-girders during casting the concrete bridge deck slab—when the unshored non-composite steel section must support the wet concrete—is not addressed in North American Specifications for bridges. Steel I-girders are flexible in torsion. Hence, a horizontal truss system is usually installed at levels of both the top and bottom flanges to increase the torsional stiffness providing a quasi-closed bridge cross-section. This chapter presents a comparative study of different curved steel I-girder configurations at construction phase—namely, bridge with vertical, cross-bracing system only; bridge with vertical bracing system and torsion box; bridge with vertical bracing system and horizontal bracings in outer bays; and bridge with vertical bracing system and horizontal bracings in all bays. A three-dimensional finite-element modeling is conducted to compare longitudinal normal stresses in top and bottom steel flanges. The effects of number of vertical bracing spacings, web stiffeners, and the presence of solid end-diaphragms in replacement of the end cross-bracings are also discussed in the chapter. Recommendations for cost-effective design method of such bridges at construction phase, as well as recommendations for further research, are also given in the chapter.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call