Composite Bridge

Shear
connector RC Slab

Composite Bridge
Main Plate Girder

Steel Cross
Beam

N.A

N.A
Bending stress
diagram
Slippage

Non-composite action Composite action

Composite action of slab and girder

• Decrease the size of steel beam required
• Provide the stiffer cross section and Increase the possibility of longer span bridge
• Reduce the live load deflections and increase the load carrying capacity
 Shear Connector
Mechanical device, which ensure composite action of steel beam and RC slab resisting
longitudinal shear developed at the interface of flange of steel beam and RC slab.
Shear connector may be
1. Rigid shear connector , which offer resistance to longitudinal shear through bearing
against concrete
2. Flexible shear connector, which offer resistance to longitudinal shear through
bending of connector

Flexible shear connector Rigid shear connector

 There are two methods of constructions of composite of bridge
1. Propped Method
2. Unpropped Method
• In Propped Method, main steel beam is erected on prop and then RC slab and
other members are constructed.
In this method of construction, dead load from self wt. of main beam, cross beam
and slab is borne by girder - propped system and main girder remains unstressed at
this stage. RC slab attains its strength in propped condition. After attaining the
desired strength of RC slab, the total loads, i.e. DL, SIDL and LL are borne directly by
composite section of beam.
So in this type of bridge, design is carried out for all loads directly considering
composite action.

• In Unpropped Method, main steel beam is erected without prop and then RC slab
and other members are constructed directly on the main beam.
In this method of construction, prior to attainment of strength of RC slab, dead
load from self wt. of main beam, cross beam and slab is borne by steel girder
alone. Then after attaining the desired strength of concrete of slab, the total loads,
i.e. DL, SIDL and LL are borne by composite section of girder.
So in this type of bridge, design is carried out for DL considering non composite
action and for all loads considering composite action .
Design Steps of Composite Bridge
1. Plan and configure the approximate transverse section of composite
bridge. Assign thickness of slab and sizes of steel beam.

2. Design cantilever slab. Calculate dead load, position live load, analyze the
slab, verify the thickness of slab, find reinforcing bars and carryout
detailing of reinforcing bars.

3. Design restrained slab. Calculate dead load, position live load, analyze the
slab by Pigeaud’s Method, verify the thickness of slab, find reinforcing
bars and carryout detailing of reinforcing bars.

4. Design main beam. Calculate dead load, position live load longitudinally
and transversely, analyze the beam, design beam for bending, check
beam for shear and deflection, design beam for lateral stability and
design shear connector .

5. Design Cross beam. Calculate dead load, position live load longitudinally
and transversely, analyze the cross beam, design cross beam for bending
and check for shear and lateral stability.
Preliminary Design of Composite Bridge

• C.W. = 4.25 m for single lane

Df
C.W. = 7 m or 7.5m for double lane
• Height of railing (h) ≥ 1.1m
D
3/4D α • Width of kerb (b) ≥ 0.3m
D’ • Width of footpath (b)≥ 0.6m
S S ½ to ¾ S • Df min = 200mm (150mm at tip)
• D = span/20 to span/15 for sim. span
= span/30 to span/25 for cont. span
D’ = 5(M/σbt)1/3
bf • tw ≥ 8mm
• tf = Af/bf
tf • bf = L/45 to L/40 ; L – Effective Span
D’ • Af = M/D’σbt – Aw/8 ; Af –Sect. area of a flange
tw • Aw =D’ × tw ; Aw – Sect. area of web
• α ≥ 1100 (150mm × 300mm)
• S = 2-3m
• Spacing of cross beam = 3 to 5m
• No of cross beam ≥ 5
Steel for beam is selected according to the standard of BIS.
BIS recommends 9 grades of steel as structural steels. They are designated as E165,
E250 (A), E250 (B), E250 (C), E300, E350, E410, E450 (D) and E450 (E)

Properties
Yield Stress
Grade /
(MPa) U. Tensile Stress Elongation
Classification
(MPa) (%)
<20mm 20-40mm >40mm

E165 165 165 165 290 23

E250 (A) 250 240 230 410 23
E250 (B) 250 240 230 410 23
E250 (C) 250 240 230 410 23
E300 300 290 280 440 22
E350 350 330 320 490 22
E410 410 390 380 540 20
E450 (D) 450 430 420 570 20
E450 (E) 450 430 420 590 20
Analysis and design of cantilever slab

Cantilever slab is analyzed by conventional method for DL and effective

width method for LL and designed as SRUR rectangular section

Effective Width of Cantilever Slab • Effective width of cantilever

slab should less or equal to
one third length of cantilever
slab
a
• When load is placed one of
b1 bef = 1.2a + b1 the two extreme ends of the
slab , the effective width
should not exceed the above
Support value nor should it exceed
half the above value plus the
distance of the concentrated
Load load from the nearer
extreme end.
Analysis and design of restrained slab

In composite bridge, the deck slab is supported on all the four sides of slab. In the case,
slab is analyzed for DL and LL by Pigeaud’s Method. Slab is designed as SRUR rectangular
section.

Pigeaud's Method
Pigeaud's Method is applicable to rectangular slabs supported freely
on all four sides subjected to a symmetrically placed load at center.

P
L and B - Span lengths in the long and short span
b directions
L a a and b - Dimensions of the tire contact area in long
h and short span directions
b u =b+2h u and v - Dispersed load through the deck slab
K- Ratio of short to long span
M1 and M2 - Moments along the short and long spans
B m1 and m2 - Coefficients for moments along short and
long spans
- Poisson's ratio
M1 = (m1+ m2)P P- Load from the wheel under consideration
M2 = (m2+ m1)P
To consider the degree of fixity of restrained slab at its edges, BM calculated
by Pigeaud’s Method is corrected by multiplying 0.8 factor
Pigeaud’s Method when load is eccentric w.r.t . one centroidal axis
B

u
u
L P P v F
v = - 2P+F
b b
2u+b

Condition a Condition c Condition b

Ma = (Mb - Mc) / 2

Pigeaud’s Method when load is eccentric w.r.t . two centroidal axes

l+v l-v
L
b+u b+u
v
u P Condition b Condition c
B l b =

l+v l-v
b-u b-u
Condition a

Ma = (Mb – Mc – Md + Me) / 4 Condition d Condition e

Analysis and Design of Main Beam
Longitudinal Positioning of Live Load to Get Maximum BM

For Track Loading BM at the considering section wiLL be

maximum when track load is
L2 positioned in such a way so that
x2 x2 = x1× L2 /L1

x1
L1

For Train/Wheel Loading BM at the considering section wiLL be maximum

when train/wheel load is positioned in such a way
so that the ratio of R1 / L1 and R / L wiLL equal or
just change their signs
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5
R1 / L1 = R / L
or
L1 R1 / L1 > R / L just change in to R1 / L1 < R / L
L
R1 - Resultant of wheel loads lying on the left of the
considering section
R– Resultant of wheel load entered in bridge deck
 Longitudinal Positioning of Live Load to Get Maximum BM

For Track Loading For Train/Wheel Loading

L2 p W1 W2 W3 W4 W5

x1 L1 L1
L

Draw ILD of BM at critical section. Draw ILD of BM at critical section.

Position track load in such a way so Position wheel loads in such a way
that product of the intensity of track so that summation of the product
load and area of ILD occupied by of loads and respective ordinates of
track load (p × A) is maximum. ILD (∑Wy) is maximum.

p – intensity of track load W- magnitude of wheel load

A – area of influence line diagram y- ordinate of ILD under
under track load load
Longitudinal Positioning of Live Load to Get Maximum SF

Influence line diagram is drawn to

get maximum SF at critical sec.
For Track Loading
due to track and train/wheel
p loading.

SF at any critical section will be

maximum when
l • pA is maximum for track
loading
p – intensity of track load
A – area of influence line diagram
under track load
For Train/Wheel Loading
• ∑Wy is maximum for
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 train/wheel loading
W- magnitude of wheel load
y- ordinate of ILD under load

l
Transverse Positioning of Live Load to Get Maximum Responses

emax

Main Girder

Cross Beam

Maximum eccentric vehicle gives maximum longitudinal BM and SF

emax

Main Girder

Cross Beam
Minimum eccentric vehicle gives maximum transverse BM
COURBON'S METHOD OF LATERAL LOAD DISTRIBUTION

Courbon is one of the methods of lateral load distribution in bridge deck,

which can be used in the analysis of main girder of composite bridge.

It is a very simple, popular and powerful method of lateral

load distribution applicable to simply supported
Composite/T-beam bridges.
In Courbon’s method, it is assumed that the transverse
profile of the bridge deck under loading remains straight.

Central load case P

∆
Transverse profile of bridge
1 2 3 4
deck after the application of
central load and central I1 I2 I3 I4
moment
Central moment case
M

1 2 3 4
I1 I2 I3 I4
In Courbon’s method, load shared by each girder in central region of bridge deck
is found by
R1 = P I1 / ∑I + M I1 h1 / ∑Ih2
R2 = P I2 / ∑I + M I2 h2 / ∑Ih2
R3 = P I3 / ∑I + M I3 h3 / ∑Ih2
R4 = P I4 / ∑I + M I4 h4 / ∑Ih2

In end region i.e., 5.5 m from the support, simple beam method is employed for
lateral load distribution.

The following conditions must be satisfied for the effective use of Courbon’s
method.

• The ratio of span to the width of bridge >2

• No. of transverse beams interconnecting longitudinal beams
should be at least 5 .
• Depth of transverse beam should be at least 0.75 times the depth
of main beam.
 Method of Elastic Supports
A very simple, and powerful method to analyze girder for live load in simply supported T-
beam or composite bridges when Courbon’s Method is not effective. Significant transverse
deformation of bridge deck occurs when span/width ratio of bridge becomes less than 2 and
nos of cross beams becomes less than 5. In this situation it is right to analyze bridge deck
considering slab as a continuous beam on elastic support.
B
0 1 2
d

In the method of elastic support , load on girder is found by constructing influence

line diagram of reaction of girder using table made for Method of Elastic Supports.
Ordinate of Influence diagram depends on the parameter α = d3/6EIT ∆P
Usually α = 0.005 to 1.5
• Bridge with many cross beams α = 0.005
• Bridge with few or no cross beams α > 1
• Modern highway bridges α < 0.05

d = Span of transverse medium ( spacing of girder)

EIT = Flexural rigidity of transverse medium (slab and cr. beam) per unit length of bridge
∆P = Deflection of main girder from 1KN/m at the section of bridge, where lateral load
distribution is required
To use the Table of Method of Elastic Supports , value of ‘α’ for the considering
section of bridge is required. There are two tables. First table is to determine
ordinate of ILD of reaction of girder due to unit load and second table is to
determine ordinate of ILD of reaction of girder due to moment.

Table gives the reaction of girder due to unit load of its different position. For
the unit load lying on cantilever, load is converted into equivalent moment and
unit load applied on exterior girder . For reaction of girder due to equivalent
moment second table of Method of Elastic Supports is used.
First Table

No of Ordinate of ILD for different value of ‘α’

Support
span 0.005 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.5 1 1.5
n RPir

Second Table

No of Ordinate of ILD for different value of ‘α’

Support
span 0.005 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.5 1 1.5
n dRMi0
Design of Composite Beam

• Compute the effective flange width of composite section of beam.

Effective widths of compression flange of interior and exterior beam are calculated as per
Cl. 305.12.2 of IRC: 21

• Compute dead load due to steel beam and slab and superimposed dead load due to
wearing surface, parapet etc. Find bending moment and shear force at critical sections
of beam for different load combinations i.e. DL, DL+SIDL and DL+SIDL+LL.

• Compute the transformed width of slab' btr ‘ and find design sections for different load
combinations.

btr = bef /m for dead and live loads acting on the beam
b tr = bef /km for superimposed dead loads
Where,
bef = effective flange width of composite section
k - creep factor; k=2
m - modular ratio; m = Es/Ec
 Design section of girder for different
loading conditions

bef /Km bef /m

bef

Df Df Df

Actual composite beam section Actual steel beam Transformed section of Transformed section of
with effective width of flange section for DL beam for DL + SIDL beam for DL + SIDL + LL
• Design the section of composite beam.
Design of composite beam depends on the method of construction of bridge . In Unpropped method of
construction beam is designed in two stages. In the first stage, main beam is designed as a steel beam for
DL and in the second stage, main beam is designed as composite beam for DL, SIDL and LL . In propped
method, main beam is designed directly as composite beam for DL, SIDL and LL .

I. Design of main beam for self weight of main and cross beam and self
weight of slab as a steel plate girder

1. Design in Bending
Check bending stress at bottom fibre of beam
σb = σDL ≤ σbt
Check bending stress at top fibre of beam
σb = σDL ≤ σbc
Where, σb - bending stress σDL , - bending stress due to dead load
σbt, σbc – permissible bending stress in tension and compression

2. Design in Shear
Check shear stress in the web of beam
τv ≤ τva
Where, τv - Shear stress due to dead load τva – Allowable shear stress
II. Design of main beam for self weight of main and cross beams, self
weight of slab superimposed load and live load as a composite beam
1. Design in Bending ( for DL + SIDL)
Check bending stress at bottom and top fibre of steel beam
σb = σDL + σSIDL ≤ σbt,
σb = σDL + σSIDL ≤ σbc
Check compressive bending stress at top fibre of concrete
σb = σSIDL ≤ allowable flexural compressive stress in concrete

Design in Bending ( for DL + SIDL + LL)

Check bending stress at bottom and top fiber of steel beam
σb = σDL + σSIDL+ σLL ≤ σbt
σb = σDL + σSIDL+ σLL ≤ σbc
Check bending stress at top fibre of concrete
σb = σDL + σSIDL+ σLL ≤ allowable flexural compressive stress in concrete
Where, σb - bending stress, σDL , σSIDL, σLL - bending stress due to dead
load, superimposed dead load and live load respectively
2. Design in Shear ( for DL + SIDL + LL)
Check shear stress in the web of beam
τv ≤ τva
Where, τv - Shear stress due to dead load, super impose dead load and live load
τva – Allowable shear stress
3. Check Deflection
Check maximum deflection of main girder Δmax ≤ Δ allowable

4. Design for Web Stiffener

Web stiffener are designed on the basis of slenderness ratio of web of beam

If d1 / tw ≤ 85 no stiffeners require
If d2 / tw > 85 and ≤ 200 vertical stiffeners are designed
If d2 / tw > 200 and ≤ 250 vertical and one horizontal stiffeners are designed
If d2 / tw > 250 and ≤ 400 vertical and two horizontal stiffeners are designed

5. Design for Lateral Bracing

Lateral bracings are provided to prevent lateral deformation and to resists lateral
loads. In composite bridge lateral bracing is laid out along the bottom flange of
the beam in the horizontal plane. Lateral bracings are designed for wind and
seismic loads.
6. Design shear connector.

Spacing of Mild Steel Shear Connector (stud type) is found by

P = ΣQ / Vl Shear Stud

For any case spacing of shear connectors P ≤ 600 mm h d

Min. spacing of connectors for stud = 75 mm

Where,
Q - Resisting capacity of each shear connector in Newton
For welded stud connector
Q = 1.49 h d √ (fck) for a ratio of h/d less than 4.2
Q = 6.08 d2 √ (fck) for a ratio of h/d equal or greater than 4.2
Vl - Horizontal shear per unit length of beam at the interface of beam and slab
Vl = VS/I
V – shear force at the considering section
I – MI of girder
S – static moment of area of slab
h - Height of stud in mm
d - Dia. of stud in mm
Detailing requirements to shear connector

• Clear concrete cover to connector ≥ 25 mm

c1 h
• Diameter of stud ≤ 4 × thickness of flange
of beam
• Head of stud ≥ 1.5 × dia. of stud
• h ≥ 4 × dia. of stud or 100 mm
• c1 ≥ 40 mm
b c • abc ≥ anchorage length
c1
a
7. Design Transverse Reinforcement
Longitudinal shear force per unit length transferred from the steel beam to in
situ slab through any shear plane shall not exceed either of the following and
the reinforcement shall be calculated accordingly

Vl ≤ 0.4 Ls (fck)1/2 Or
Vl ≤ 0.7 As σy + 0.8 Ls (fck)1/2

Where,
Ls – length of shear plane under consideration in mm
As – sum of the cross sectional areas per unit length of beam of all
reinforcing bars intersected by the shear plane mm2/mm

Probable shear plane

Probable
shear plane