seismic performance of composite decks with full and partial interaction

Steel-concrete composite bridges represent a very common, economical, and efficient structural solution, especially for short and medium span lengths (itani et al., 2004). these bridges are generally constituted by a continuous steel-concrete composite deck supported by reinforced concrete piers (itani et al., 2004), the latter usually providing the main seismic energy dissipation source, unless the seismic isolation technique is adopted (carbonari et al., 2018). most of the mass ofsteel plate girder bridge superstructures is concentrated in the reinforced concrete deck. during a seismic event, the inertia force that is generated in the reinforced concrete deck is transferred to the support cross frames through the headed stud connectors. seismic analyses showed that these connectors are subjected to combined axial tension and shear forces. if not designed properly, these connectors may fail prematurely during an earthquake, altering the load path and subjecting other bridge components to forces they are not designed for (bahrami, 2015).