Introduction - Finite Element Analysis and Design of Steel and Steel-Concrete Composite Bridges - page 3

and steel-concrete composite bridges. Overall, the topics discussed the basic
concepts and design approaches of the bridges, design loads on the bridges
from either natural or traffic-induced forces, and design of different compo-
nents of the bridges. On the other hand, numerous finite element topics are
found in the literature; for examples, see [ 1.12-1.18 ] , explaining finite ele-
ment method as a widely used numerical technique for solving problems in
engineering and mathematical physics. The topics [ 1.12-1.18 ] were written
to provide basic learning tools for students mainly in civil and mechanical
engineering classes. The topics [ 1.12-1.18 ] highlighted the general princi-
ples of finite element method and the application of this method to solve
practical problems. However, limited investigations, with examples detailed
in [ 1.19 , 1.20 ], are found in the literature in which researchers used finite
element method in analyzing case studies related to steel and steel-concrete
composite bridges. Recently, with continuing developments of computers
and solving and modeling techniques, researchers started to detail the use of
finite element method to analyze steel and steel-concrete composite bridges,
with examples presented in [ 1.21 , 1.22 ]. Also, extensive experimental and
numerical research papers were found in the literature highlighting finite
element analysis of steel and steel-concrete composite bridges, which will
be detailed in Section 1.3 . However, up-to-date, there are no detailed topics
found in the literature addressing both finite element analysis and design of
steel and steel-concrete composite bridges, which is credited to this topic.
The current book will present, for the first time, explanation of the latest
finite element modeling approaches specifically as a complete piece work
on steel and steel-concrete composite bridges. This finite element modeling
of the bridges will be accompanied by design examples for steel and steel-
concrete composite bridges calculated using current codes of practice.
There are many problems and issues associated with finite element
modeling of steel and steel-concrete composite bridges in the literature that
students, researchers, designers, practitioners, and academics need to address.
Incorporating nonlinear material properties of the bridge components in
finite element analyses has expanded tremendously over the last decades.
In addition, computing techniques are now widely available to manipulate
complicated analyses involving material nonlinearities of the bridge compo-
nents. This topic will highlight the latest techniques of modeling nonlinear
material properties of the bridge components. Also, simplified analytic solu-
tions were derived to predict the distribution of forces and stresses in differ-
ent bridge components based on many assumptions and limitations.
However, accurate analyses require knowledge of the actual distribution