The Role of End Cross-beams on the Distribution of Seismic Induced Shear Actions on the Shear Connection in Steel-Concrete Composite Bridge Decks

This paper focuses on local problems arising in the shear connection of typical steel-concrete com-posite bridge decks subjected to seismic actions. In detail, a case study constituted by an I-shaped twin-girder simply supported steel concrete composite deck is considered and the distribution of forces on the shear connection along the beams is presented, focusing on the role of end cross-beams. After a brief survey of the results obtained in previous researches by the authors, aimed at justifying the adopted analysis methodology, results of static equivalent seismic analyses of the se-lected case studies are shown and discussed, considering end cross-beams of different typology and stiffness. Results demonstrate the key role played by end cross-beams on the distribution of seismic actions on the shear connection.