Over the years different modeling techniques are developed by researchers for modeling ofcomposite steel girder bridges with varying level of complexity. Geometric parameters likesupport condition, skew, secondary elements can have a significant impact on the overall bridgeresponse. The proposed study employs 4 node shell elements for the bridge deck and bridgegirders, and simulates full composite action with rigid links between the bridge deck and girdertop flange. The modeling approach was validated with live load strain and deflection fieldmeasurements from a two span continuous skewed steel girder bridge in Haymarket, Virginia.The validated model was used to demonstrate that AASHTO distribution factors are conservativefor all live loading scenarios considered in the live load test. Skew-induced torsion effects wereobserved in the exterior girders when intermediate cross-bracing was present in the model, withthe girder nearest the acute skew angle carrying less live load and the girder nearest the obtuseskew angle carrying more live load. Guardrail modeling techniques influenced exterior girderstrains and deflections more than interior girder response. Finite element bridge deck stresspredictions for dead and live load were found to be less than the tensile modulus of rupture forconcrete, while stresses induced from early age concrete shrinkage were high enough to inducecracking.
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