Ultimate limit states in box girder composite bridges: Influence of second order effects in thin steel plates

Abstract

Modern theories of thin steel plates taking into account second order effects allow the analysis and design of steel bridges. However, additional considerations are required by composite bridges, ehich serviceability and safety against collapse are not addequatelly guaranteed by these methods. A general elastoplastic model to obtain the ultimate strength of continuous composite bridges is developed, considering inestability effects in failure mechanisms. Two actual bridges are studied in this way, which is suscint approach to the problem.