Steel–concrete hybrid bridge decks: rational design models for connection regions

Steel–concrete hybrid bridge decks have been used in several bridges for their added benefit in constructive operations and cost. They usually adopt reinforced concrete side-spans and all-steel or steel–concrete composite girders as main spans, typically with monolithic connections between them. Design codes address separately the design of the steel and concrete regions of the connection. However, a rational design, with an efficient transfer of stresses between the steel and the concrete parts, should be based on a global understanding of the connection region structural behaviour. Therefore, a rational model for the design of the connection region is proposed, which is based on web shear buckling models developed over recent decades for steel panels and stress field models for structural concrete elements. A hybrid bridge deck connection region is presented as the case study. Several solutions for the connection are introduced and shear resistances are evaluated based on the proposed models.