Numerical simulation and simplified calculation of the effective slab width for composite cable-stayed bridges

With the advent of progressively large and complex structures, the simultaneous presence of axial forces and bending on bridge decks is emerging as a recurring and increasingly concerning phenomenon. In the design of steel–concrete composite cable-stayed bridges, the combination of the axial force, mainly induced by the inclination of the cables, and bending is being increasingly considered to realize long spans that can bear the weight of the structure while ensuring a high rigidity of the deck. Despite its importance, this aspect is not sufficiently treated in the design codes, e.g., Eurocode specifications do not consider the axial force and its shear lag effects; therefore, the design rules are specified exclusively for the case of bending. From a practical standpoint, this deficiency can entail design complications due to the use of complicated FE models (shell and brick elements), which incur significant computational loads and design effort. In this study, a simple methodology for the design and verification of a girder composite deck subjected to combined compression and bending is developed. The methodology is based on a parametric study performed using finite element (FE) models that are valid for a generic girder composite deck. The stress distribution on the composite deck can be assessed while accounting for the axial force and bending moments associated with the deck by considering the results obtained using universal beam models. The proposed methodology is applied to an existing cable-stayed bridge.