Application of Partial Shear Connection in Steel–Concrete Semi-Continuous Composite Girder Bridges

Abstract

In the hogging moment regions of steel-concrete composite continuous girder bridges, detrimental condition appears that concrete slab bears tensile stress and steel girder bears compressive stress. Decreasing the shear connection in the hogging moment regions helps to improve the mechanical performance for steel-concrete continuous composite girder bridges. In this paper, analytical models for the calculation of composite girder considering PSC action are discussed. A project case of Qiwu bridge in Jiangxi Province using partial shear connection action was introduced. Nonlinear finite element model of Qiwu Bridge was established through ABAQUS to simulate and predict the mechanical properties and structural performance. Based on the FEM results, the influence of partial shear connection on various parameters were analysed by performing a parametric analysis. Numerical results showed that arranging partial shear connection region can effectively reduce the crack region and disperse the area with high stress concentration, but the shear stiffness mutation can magnificently increase the stress level at the edge of the partial shear connection region.