New beam element for horizontally curved steel-concrete composite box girder bridges

Abstract

Box girder cross-sections are typically used in the design of bridges in curved alignments due to their excellent torsional properties. However, beam elements available for the analysis of those bridges including torsion and distortion effects are scarce and limited to specific geometries. The intend of the new proposed finite element is to provide a tool for the analysis and design of any symmetrical steel-concrete composite box girder bridge in either straight or curved alignment including torsion and distortion effects.