Abstract

The paper concerns steel-concrete composite bridges. In the analytical model of a girder it is assumed, that fitting elements (bridge flooring, concrete sidewalks) cooperate with a concrete deck slab. There is made an assumption, that all elements interact fully or partially and as a result there occurs strain difference in the layers interfaces. Connection indices, defined on the basis of internal forces and strains in the cross section, are used in the description. The problem is illustrated with results of parametric analyses. Geometrical and material properties of a real steel-concrete composite bridge, are used. The results of the analyses show, that coefficients calculated on the basis of strains measured in steel beams during load testing, can be useful when estimating flexural stiffness of a composite girder with nonstructural elements, as well as for evaluation of strain changes in steel-concrete interface. Difficulties in estimating of cooperation level of fitting elements with deck slab, result from local effects (friction and adhesion) and other random factors.