• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.535-542
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• 2006

In this study, the effects of cross beams on the lateral distribution of live loads in composite rolled H-beam girder bridges, were investigated through three-dimensional finite element analysis. The parameters considered in this study were the inertial moment ratio between the main girder and the cross beam, the presence of the cross beam, and the number of cross beams. The live load lateral distribution factors were investigated through finite element analysis and the customary grid method. The results show that there was no difference between the bridge models with and without a cross beam. The cross beam of the beam and frame types also showed almost the same live load lateral distribution factors. However, the finite element analysis showed that the concrete slab deck plays a major role in the lateral distribution of a live load, and consequently, the effect of the cross beam is not so insignificant that it can be neglected.