Ultimate load behavior of horizontally curved composite plate girders

Abstract

This paper is concerned with steel-concrete composite plate girders curved in plan. At the design stage these girders are assumed sometimes to act independent of the deck slabs resting on them in order to simplify the analysis. The advantage of composite action between the steel girders and concrete deck is not utilized. Finite element modeling of such composite action in plate girders is considered in this paper. Details of the finite element modeling and the non-linear analysis of the girders are presented along with the results obtained. Tension field action in the web panels similar to those observed in the straight plate girders is also noticed in these girders. Finite element and experimental results in respect of curved steel plate girders and straight composite plate girders tested by other researchers are presented first to assess the accuracy of the modeling. Effects of parameters such as curvature, steel flange width and web panel width that affect the behavior of composite girders are then considered in the analyses. An approximate method to predict the ultimate strength of horizontally curved composite plate girders is also presented.