Finite Element Analysis of Shear Lag Effect on Composite Girder with Steel Truss Webs

Abstract

To study the effect of shear lag on a composite girder with steel truss webs, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model, using the ANSYS FE software, and a corresponding FE model of composite girder with corrugated steel webs is established to perform a comparative analysis. The shear lag effect and distribution of shear lag coefficients along the cross section of the composite girder with steel truss webs are investigated under concentrated and uniform loads. The results show that (1) under concentrated and uniform loads, the shear lag effect is evident on the top and bottom plates of the composite girder with steel truss webs; (2) for the composite girder with steel truss webs, the shear lag effect is more pronounced under concentrated loads than under uniform loads; (3) under the same load, the normal stresses of the top and bottom plates of the composite girder with steel truss webs are less than those of composite girder with corrugated steel webs; and (4) the shear lag coefficient distributions of the top and bottom plates along the cross section are almost similar for the two types of composite girders.