• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.233-245
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• 2007

Previous finite element studies have shown that AASHTO Standard load distribution factor (LDF) equations appear to be conservative for longer spans and larger girder spacing, but too permissible for short spans and girder spacing. AASHTO LRFD specification defines the distribution factor equation for girder spacing, span length, slab thickness, and longitudinal stiffness. However, this equation requires an iterative procedure to correctly determine the LDF value due to an initially unknown longitudinal stiffness parameter. This study presents a simplified LDF equation for interior and exterior girders of two-span continuous I-girder bridges that does not require an iterative design procedure. The finite element method was used to investigate the effect of girder spacing, span length, slab thickness, slab width, and spacing and size of bracing. The computer program, GTSTRUDL, was used to idealize the bridge superstructures as the eccentric beam model, the concrete slab by quadrilateral shell elements, steel girders by space frame members, and the composite action between these elements by rigid links. The distribution factors obtained from these analyses were compared with those from the AASHTO Standard and LRFD methods. It was observed through the parametric studies that girder spacing, span length, and slab thickness were the dominant parameters compared with others. The LRFD distribution factor for the interior girder was found to be conservative in most cases, whereas the factor for the exterior girder to be unconservative in longer spans. Furthermore, a regression analysis was performed to develop simplified LDF formulas. The formulas developed in this study produced LDF values that are always conservative to those from the finite element method and are generally smaller than the LDF values obtained from the AASHTO LRFD specification. The proposed simplified equation will assist bridge engineers in predicting the actual LDF in two-span continuous I-girder bridges.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.4A
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• pp.611-620
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• 2006

The composite two plate-girder bridges are generally defined as a non-redundant load path structure because the bridge can collapse if one of the two girders is seriously damaged by a fatigue crack. In this paper, a numerical study on the evaluation of the after-fracture redundancy of the composite two-girder bridges was accomplished. The evaluation has been performed on the simple and three-span continuous bridges with I-section cross beams which serve as transverse bracing, and with or without the bottom lateral bracing system. The load carrying capacities of the intact and damaged bridges with or without lateral bracing were evaluated from material and geometric nonlinear analysis, respectively and the redundancy was evaluated for each case. It was acknowledged from the analytical results that both simple and continuous intact two-girder bridges have sufficient redundancy even without lateral bracing, but it takes an important role to improve the redundancy of damaged bridges.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.78-85
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• 1999

In this study, I-type girders used as main members of a two span continuous steel bridge, are optimally designed by a Load and Resistance Factor Design method(LRFD) using an numerical optimization method. The width, height web thickness and flange thickness of the main girder are set as design variables, and light weight design is attempted by choosing the cross-sectional area as an object function. The main program is coded with C++ and connected with optimization modul ADS, which is coded with FORTRAN. The results of the program show that the stress constraints of noncomposite section during the initial construction stage become active in the positive moment area and the service limit state constaints become active in the negative moment area.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.16 no.1 s.68
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• pp.1-10
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• 2004

A study on the evaluation of proper spacing and required flexural rigidity of cross beams in composite two I-section steel girder bridges without a lateral and sway bracing system was performed. Specifically, a 2-lane, 40-m simple span bridge and a 3-span continuous (40+50+10m) bridge were designed, and structural analyses under dead load before and after composite, live, wind, and seismic loads were performed using spacing and flexural rigidity or cross beams as parameters. Through parametric analysis, the effect on the stresses due to the combination of loads and live load distribution was investigated. In addition. material and geometric nonlinear analyses under dead load before composite were performed to evaluate the lateral buckling strength of the steel girders and cross beam. Based on the results or such analyses, the proper spacing and flexural rigidity of cross beams at intermediate points and supports were proposed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2006

In this paper, a numerical study on the evaluation of the redundancy according to the dimension and spacing of cross beams in the composite twin steel plate girder bridges that are generally recognized as a non-redundant load path structures, has been performed. Specifically, a two-lane three-span continuous (40+50+40m) bridge with I-section cross beams which serve as cross bracing, and without a lateral bracing were considered. The material and geometric nonlinear analyses were conducted to evaluate the ultimate loading capacity of the intact and damaged bridge in which one of the two girders is seriously fractured. Through the numerical analyses, it was recognized that there is little difference in redundancy according to the variation of the dimension and spacing of the cross beams for both intact and damaged bridges.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.691-699
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• 2002

A study on the evaluationof the proper spacing and required bending rigidity of cross beams in composite multiple I-girder bridge without lateral and sway bracing system was performed. For the purpose, a two-lane 40m simple span and 40+50+40m continuous sample bridge with four girders was designed. For the sample bridges, structural analysis under the design loads including dead load before and after composite, live load, and seismic loads has been performed. The material and geometric nonlinear analysis under dead load before composite has also been performed to evaluate lateral buckling strength of the steel-girder-cross beam grillage. Based on the two phase anlayses, proper spacing and bending righidity of cross beams were proposed.