Influence of Skew Angle on Continuous Composite Girder Bridge

Abstract

AbstractThe design of skewed bridges is becoming more customary in the engineering community. In this paper, the effect of the skew angle on continuous composite girder bridges is presented using three-dimensional finite-element analysis. Seventy-two models of two-span bridges with various span ratios (N=1, 1.55, and 1.82), skew angles (0–60°), and various arrangements of intermediate transverse diaphragms are analyzed. All models were subjected to AASHTO HS20-44 loading. Results for skewed bridges are compared with the reference nonskewed bridge, as well as to the AASHTO standard specifications and AASHTO LRFD specifications. The results show that as the skew angle increases, the support moment in interior and exterior girders rapidly decreases. It decreases about 10% when the skew angle is less than 20° and reaches 33% for a 45° skew angle. The shear force increases in the pier support at the exterior girders and decreases at the interior ones with increasing skew angle. For exterior girders, the ratio ...