Introduction - Finite Element Analysis and Design of Steel and Steel-Concrete Composite Bridges - page 6

the important parameters that must be measured experimentally and incor-
porated in the finite element modeling. The definitions of yield stresses, ulti-
mate stresses, maximum strains at failure, initial stiffness, and proportional
limit stresses are presented in the chapter. The chapter enables beginners
to understand the fundamental behavior of the materials in order to correctly
insert them in the finite element analyses. Covering the behavior of shear
connectors in this chapter is important to understand how the shear forces
are transmitted at the steel-concrete slab interfaces in composite bridges. In
addition, the chapter presents how the different materials are treated in cur-
rent codes of practice.
Chapter 3 presents the different loads acting on steel and steel-concrete
composite bridges and the stability of the bridges when subjected to these
loads. The chapter starts by showing the dead loads of steel and steel-
concrete composite bridges that are initially estimated for the design of brid-
ges. Then, the chapter moves to explain how the live loads from traffic were
calculated. After that, the chapter presents the calculation of wind loads on
the bridges and highlights different other loads that may act on the bridges
such as centrifugal forces, seismic loading, and temperature effects. When
highlighting the loads in this chapter, it is aimed to explain both of the loads
acting on railway and highway bridges. The calculations of the loads are
based on the standard loads specified in current codes of practice. In addi-
tion, the chapter also presents, as examples, the main issues related to the
stability of steel and steel-concrete composite plate girder and truss bridges,
which enable readers to understand the stability of any other type of bridges.
Chapter 4 presents detailed design examples of the components of steel
and steel-concrete composite bridges. The design examples are calculated
based on current codes of practice. The design examples are shown for
the stringers (longitudinal beams of the bridges), cross girders, plate girders,
trusses, bracing systems, bearings, and other secondary members of the brid-
ges. Also, design examples are presented for steel-concrete composite brid-
ges. It should be noted that the aim of this topic is to provide all the necessary
information and background related to the design of different bridges using
different codes of practice. Therefore, the design examples presented are
hand calculations performed by the author. The chapter explains how the
cross sections are initially assumed, how the straining actions are calculated,
and how the stresses are checked and assessed against current codes of
practice.
Chapter 5 focuses on finite element analysis of steel and steel-concrete
composite bridges. The chapter presents the more commonly used finite