• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.221-232
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• 2009

The load distribution factor (LDF) values of simplified composite H beam panel bridges (SCHPBs) that were subjected to one lane and two lane loads were investigated using three dimensional finite element analyses with the computer program ABAQUS (2007). This study considered some design parameters such as the slab thickness, the steel plate thickness, the span length, and the continuity of the SCHPBs in the development of new LDFs. The distribution values that were obtained from these analyses were compared with those from the AASHTO Standard, LRFD, and the equations presented by Tarhini and Frederick, Huo et al., Back and Shin, and Cai. The AASHTO Standard distribution factors for SCHPBs were found to be very conservative. Sometimes, the distribution values from the finite element analyses for interior girders were similar to the results of the AASHTO LRFD, whereas the values for exterior girders were conservative in most cases. The new distribution values that were presented in this study produced LDFs that are more conservative than those from the finite element method. For the simple application of the design to SCHPBs, bridge engineers can use 0.42 for the interior girder and 0.32 for the exterior girder. The proposed values improve the current design procedure for the LDF problem and increase SCHPB design efficiency.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.3A
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• pp.161-169
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• 2012

This paper presents the safety and strength of simplified composite H-beam panel bridges (SCHPBs) using 3-dimentional finite-element program, ABAQUS (2007) and experimental tests. Two finite-element models (one-steel-girder-and-composite-deck model and four-steel-girder-and-wide-composite-deck model) were reviewed to predict the strength and load distribution factor (LDF) values of the composite bridges. Based on the results of the finite-element analyses, the behaviors of the two models were investigated, and deflection and strain gauges for the experimental specimens were set up to obtain the ultimate strengths and the LDF values. The ultimate strength of the one-steel-girder-and-composite-deck specimen was estimated to be 840 kN. The yield and plastic moments of the four-steel-girder-and-wide-composite-deck specimen were obtained to be 2.4 and 4.1 times the design moment based on the live loading condition of the Korea Bridge Design Specifications (2005). The SCHPB were found to have enough strength for safety under and after construction.