EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION AND REINFORCEMENT OF STEEL BRIDGES WITH CONCRETE SLAB

An experimental study was carried out to assess the stabilizing action of the friction between concrete slab and steel beams in noncomposite constructions. Slender beams, sensitive to lateral torsional buckling , were used in the experimental work. The results show that the fricti on is sufficient to prevent lateral torsional buckling of the steel be ams. However, the flexural stiffness was not significantly increased s o that friction alone is not sufficient to develop a composite action. To increase the frictional effect, the concrete slab was linked to th e steel beams by two types of connectors. Additional tests were carrie d out to verify the efficiency of these connectors.