• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.175-188
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• 2012

A parametric study for varying the radii of curvature is performed with a curved tub girder bridge having three continuous spans. The bracing forces of top lateral bracings from the results of numerical equations are compared to those of 3-dimensional finite element analyses. New modifying factors applicable in computing the nominal member forces of top lateral bracings were suggested. The numerical equations were derived based on one girder system, and it is shown that the numerical equations exhibit some errors compared with 3D FEA results. The main reason for this phenomenon lies on the number of girders. The twin girder system has an external cross-beam between inner and outer girder. It also has larger lateral stiffness than the single girder system. Finally, the distributions by the torsion, bending, distortion, and lateral loading of the top lateral bracing forces were presented in this paper.