Introduction - Finite Element Analysis and Design of Steel and Steel-Concrete Composite Bridges - page 39

specifications can still be applicable for load distribution factor, while the
effective flange width needs to be redefined for a bridge system with partial
degree of composite action. The authors recommended that the findings of
the study be used for design purposes.
1.4 FINITE ELEMENT MODELING OF STEEL AND
STEEL-CONCRETE COMPOSITE BRIDGES
Finite element modeling of steel and steel-concrete composite bridges can
provide a useful insight into the structural performance of the bridges and
compensate the lack in full-scale tests on the bridges. Recent developments
in computers and finite element general-purpose software make it possible
to analyze structures having different nonlinear geometries, different mate-
rial properties, different loading conditions, and different boundary condi-
tions. This topic presents the latest modeling techniques used to investigate
the behavior of the bridge components and the whole bridge behavior. The
presented finite element models in this topic are intended to be efficient and
accurate models, which are not too-detailed and are not too-simplified
models. There are numerous finite element topics published in the litera-
ture, with examples shown in [ 1.12-1.18 ]. These topics are mainly devoted
to the development of different finite elements and or the development of a
numerical scheme to expedite the convergence of iterative procedures.
These finite element topics mostly focus on explaining the finite element
method as a general technique to solve engineering problems. However,
topics involved in finite element modeling of the bridge superstructure
are rarely found in the literature, leading to the writing of this topic. How-
ever, in order to present how finite element modeling can be used efficiently
to simulate the behavior of steel and steel-concrete composite bridges,
knowledge of the different loads applied on bridges, material nonlinearity
of the bridge components, and design rules specified in current codes of
practice for different bridges is required.
Test data are used to verify and validate the accuracy of finite element
models developed for steel and steel-concrete composite bridges. In order
to investigate the structural performance, stability, and failure modes of
steel and steel-concrete composite bridges and their components, laboratory
tests have to be conducted to observe the actual behavior or theoretical
analyses have to be performed to obtain an exact closed-form solution.
Getting an exact solution sometimes becomes very complicated and
even impossible in some cases that involve highly nonlinear material and