FE-Modelling of Composite Girder tests

Abstract: Many of the existing steel-concrete bridges may need to be strengthened, as heavier vehicles areallowed on the Swedish roads. These bridges could possibly be strengthened by post-installingshear connectors. The shear connectors may enhance the load-bearing capacity through a higherdegree of composite action between the steel and concrete interface.For post-installing of shear connectors, it is advantageous to use a method that allows forinstallation from underneath the bridge as it avoids disrupting the traffic flow. The authors havehence focused on a shear connector called coiled spring pin (CSP); a sheet of metal rolled intoa coil. It’s inserted by hydraulic jacking into a pre-drilled hole and maintained in position dueto radial spring force, avoiding the need for welding.Information and data are collected from beam tests performed at Luleå technical university, theEurocodes and literature.This study investigates and identifies the behaviour and characteristics of a partial compositegirder reinforced with CSPs. The study compares the results obtained from the laboratory testsand the FEM-simulations. Furthermore, this research examines the factors that contribute to theaccuracy of the FEM models and investigates the influence of the CSP placement on the overallload-bearing capacity.Both the FEM simulations and laboratory tests indicate that the girders exhibit strength benefitsfrom applying CSPs. An optimal position for the connectors could not be determined, as theresults presented in the simulations was not proved by the laboratory tests. The simulationsindicate benefits with central placed CSPs, in contrast to the laboratory test where no differencesfrom the placement were shown, although only two test setups were used.