Numerical modelling and development of design rules for novel demountable steelconcrete composite bridges

Abstract

This research project aims to study the structural behaviour of novel demountable shear connectors for steel-concrete composite bridges. Two shear connectors are investigated, namely locking-nut shear connector (LNSC) and friction-based shear connector (FBSC). The investigated shear connectors promote precast construction, and therefore significantly reduce the construction costs. In addition, they allow full disassembly of bridges and as a result, deteriorating bridge components can be easily replaced. In this way, the bridge design life is extended, and the deteriorating components can be recycled or reused. Both connectors use high-strength bolts instead of conventional headed studs to achieve composite action. The bolts are fastened to the top flange of the steel beam using either a locking-nut (LNSC) or grouted countersunk hole configurations (FBSC) that prevent the bolts to slip within their holes. The connectors also use precast concrete to speed up the construction process. In this research thesis, three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) models are developed in ABAQUS software to study the structural behaviour of LNSCs and FBSCs in steel-concrete composite bridges. Firstly, steel-concrete push-out FE models are built and tested in order to evaluate the shear capacity of the connectors. Subsequently, full-scale steel-concrete composite beams equipped with FBSCs are numerically tested using a four bending configuration to assess their flexural behaviour. The accuracy of the FE models is verified by comparing the FE results with experimental results available in the literature. Extensive parametric studies are also carried out, using the FE models, to expand the experimental data bank. The effect of significant parameters on the structural behaviour and the capacity of the connectors is evaluated. Based on the parametric results, simple design rules are proposed to calculate the shear resistance of both connectors.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Mohammad Kashani: orcid.org/0000-0003-0008-0007

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