Influence of the Shear Connector Arrangement on the Mechanical Characteristics of the Continuous Composite Beam Bridge

In the continuous composite beam bridge, the difference in type, arrangement area and arrangement space of shear connectors will cause variation in mechanical characteristics of the structure. By using the universal finite element software MSC/NASTRAN to simulate one continuous composite beam bridge numerically, which mainly includes simulating shear connectors of different type and shear rigidity by SPRING elements and MPC elements and simulating concrete crack in the negative moment area by GAP elements, the internal force distribution and deflection of the bridge with several different shear connector arrangements have been calculated separately. Through comparing the calculation results, it is considered that different shear connector arrangements result in remarkable changes in the distribution of the shear force and slip at interface, reinforcement stress distribution in the negative moment area and deflection of the bridge. Especially when flexible shear connectors are provided in the negative moment area of the continuous composite beam bridge. Reinforcement tensile stress reduces greatly when the intense shear force concentration exists in the rigid shear connector and slight stress concentration exists in the reinforcement at the joined position between the arrangement area of rigid and flexible shear connectors. Hence, during the design period of the continuous composite bridge, the engineer can rationalize the internal force and deformation by adjusting the shear connector arrangement. 