Analysis of the shear lag effect in cable stayed bridges by means of deck finite elements

ABSTRACT This paper presents the derivation of a finite element formulation for the analysis of composite decks accounting for partial interaction theory and shear-lag effects. The particularity of the proposed element, referred to as the deck finite element, relies on its ability to capture the structural response of cable stayed bridges, while preserving the ease of use of a typical line element. For these particular bridges, stress concentrations are induced in the slab by the application of concentrated forces due to the anchorage of stays. The ease of use of the proposed deck finite element is outlined considering a case study for which the calculated results have been compared against those obtained using a more refined model implemented using shell elements in a commercial finite element software.