Behavior of Negative Moment Region of Continuous Double Composite Railway Bridges

This study proposes a double-composite section to enhance the s serviceability of twin-girder railway bridges, especially in terms of the flexural stiffness of the composite section in negative-moment regions. This paper deals with experiments on continuous twin-girder bridge models with 5m-5m span length with the proposed double-composite action. From results of static tests on the bridge models, several design considerations were investigated including effective width, shear connection and ultimate strength of the double-composite concrete slab showed full shear connection, which verified the suggested empirical equation. From the flexural behavior of the double-composite section, the effective width of the bottom concrete slab can be evaluated as that of the concrete slab under compression. The ultimate flexural strength of the bridge models verified the validity of the rigid plastic analysis of the double-composite section. Design guidelines were suggested based on the test results.