Efficient nonlinear finite element modeling of slab on steel stringer bridges

This paper conducts three-dimensional (3D), nonlinear finite element analyses (FEA) to predict ultimate load behavior of slab on steel stringer bridge superstructures. This is accomplished using the commercial finite element package ABAQUS to efficiently capture the behavior of such bridges; comprehensive details of the modeling procedure are presented herein. Two composite steel girders fabricated from high performance steel (HPS) and one four-span continuous composite steel bridge tested to failure have been used to validate the proposed FEA models. These FEA results indicate excellent agreement with the experimental data.