EVALUATION OF STRENGTH FORMULATIONS FOR HORIZONTALLY CURVED FLEXURAL MEMBERS

In 1992, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, along with 13 states, began a project to study the behavior of horizontally curved steel bridges. The project is referred to as the Curved Steel Bridge Research Project and involves studying the behavior of curved members through theoretical, analytical, and experimental research. In this paper, detailed finite-element models representing a curved 3-girder test frame, are used to evaluate the effects of curvature on the bending strength of curved I-girders, linear-elastic static, and buckling. Combined material and geometric nonlinear analysis are conducted using models that represent the test frame and component test specimens that will be inserted into it. Results are compared to various predictor equations developed from analytical work by the authors and to work by other researchers. It is demonstrated that the predictor equations of the authors are accurate in representing the behavior of the system. Limitations and needed improvements are described as well.