1.

Introduction
Steel-concrete composite bridges provide an efficient and cost-effective form of bridge
construction. This report provides guidance for both the novice and experienced bridge
designer on the design of steel-concrete composite bridges, whether the bridge is simply
supported or continuous and for multi-girder and ladder deck forms of construction. The
guide describes the determination of design forces, identifies key features relating to design
of the different structural components and gives structural detailing advice. It also provides
additional guidance on cost-effective design philosophy and durability design.
2. Typical composite bridge configurations
The main aim of a bridge designer is to provide a cost-effective solution in accordance with
the client’s requirements. Steel-concrete composite bridges utilise the tensile strength of steel
in the main girder and the compressive strength of concrete in the slab to provide a cost-
effective solution over a wide range of spans. Other types of composite construction are
summarised in chapter 11, although they will not be covered in detail in this document.

2.1 Multi-girder bridges

2.1.1 General
In multi-girder bridge construction a number of similarly sized longitudinal girders
are arranged at uniform spacing across the width of the bridge, as shown in the
typical cross section in figure 2.1 for a two-lane road with a rigid traffic barrier and
no footway.
Figure 2.1 Typical multi-girder cross section of a composite bridge with rigid traffic
barriers and no footway

The arrangement shown in figure 2.1 is typical when either the slab is cast on
temporary formwork or precast concrete decking permanent formwork is used.
Different arrangements for dealing with camber and super-elevation are discussed in
section 9.1.1.

2.1.2 Longitudinal girders

The steel girders are usually fabricated I-section plate girders; for smaller spans, it is
possible to use hot rolled section beams (Universal Beams) but, for the reasons
discussed below, rolled sections are rarely used in current construction.
2.1.2.1 Hot rolled sections – Universal Beams
Universal Beams are hot rolled sections that are readily available in New Zealand up
to 612mm deep as tabulated in Design capacity tables for structural steel (ASI 1999).
Bridges that use Universal Beams are usually lightly loaded farm access bridges or
pedestrian bridges that may span up to 12m simply supported or up to 16m for
continuous spans. Minimal fabrication is required for Universal Beams, with only
the welding of stiffeners and drilling of bolt holes being be required.

2.1.2.2 Plate girders

Plate girders are fabricated from steel plate in accordance with the designer’s
requirements. They provide the designer with the flexibility of specifying different
flange sizes and web thicknesses at different positions along the span, to optimise
the girder, depending on the span and applied loading on the bridge.

2.1.2.3 Welded beams

Welded beams are a form of fabricated plate girder with standard dimensions (ASI
1999), that are available from 700mm to 1200mm deep. They can span up to 30m
simply supported and up to 35m for continuous spans. In many cases, welded beams
may be more economically replaced by plate girders of similar depth but in which
the flange sizes and web thickness have been optimised. Fabricators can advise on
the relative economy.