experimental and numerical parametric study of the mechanical properties in a steel–concrete joint section

This paper focuses on the first railway hybrid cable-stayed bridge in the world. the force-transfer performance of the steel–concrete joint section is studied through model experiments, and the influence of various structural design parameters on the performance is analyzed by means of the finite element method. the experimental results and theoretical analysis show that the stress of the steel–concrete joint section is relatively low and that the stress on the steel cells decreases gradually along the longitudinal direction. shear studs in the steel–concrete joint section demonstrate a notable group stud effect, and the first five rows of shear studs nearest the stressed end experience greater stress. the axial force carrying ratios of the bearing plate, shear studs, and perfobond rib (pbl) shear connectors in the steel–concrete joint section are approximately 44.58%, 47.29%, and 8.13%, respectively. the difference in the thickness of the bearing plate only affects axial force transfer within 1.5 m from the bearing plate. when the space between shear studs increases from 100 to 200 mm, the axial force carrying ratio of the bearing plate increases by 9.37%. when the thickness of the top and bottom plates is increased from 16 to 36 mm, the axial force carrying ratio of the bearing plate decreases by 12.45%. the concrete strength and the size of the shear studs have less influence on the axial force carrying ratio of the bearing plate. when the shear studs of the steel cell top and bottom plates under the worst stress failed to work, the axial force carrying ratio of the bearing plate and the third and fourth row shear studs increased by 4.64% and 3.93%, respectively