Composite Bridge Beams with Mixed-Class Cross Sections

Linear-elastic global analysis is normally used for continuous composite beams for bridges. This does not allow for the inelastic curvatures that can occur in members of compact (class 1 or 2) cross sections when bending resistances are determined by plastic theory. Inelastic numerical analyses are used to study the effects of this inconsistency in potentially adverse situations, based on beams from existing bridges and using highway load Model 1 of Eurocode 1: Part 3. The design method is shown to be safe for persistent design situations at ultimate limit states.