strengthening non-composite steel bridges with concrete deck using post-installed shear connectors considering fatigue behavior of shear connectors and inelastic moment redistribution

strengthening non-composite steel bridges with concrete deck using post-installed shear connectors considering fatigue behavior of shear connectors and inelastic moment redistribution

many older bridges are constructed with floor systems consisting of a non-composite concrete deck over steel girders. a potentially economical method for strengthening these bridges is to develop composite action by attaching the existing concrete deck to the steel beams using post-installed shear connectors. the current paper discusses this method based on the findings from a large-scale research study aimed at strengthening existing non-composite continuous steel girder bridges. the results of this research indicate that post-installed shear connectors are a feasible and efficient method of extending the useful service life of a non-composite steel girder bridge. increases of more than 60-percent in the ultimate strength of the bridge girders tested in this study were attained by strengthening to a composite ratio of only 30-percent. the test program also exhibited excellent fatigue resistance for the post-installed shear connectors.