ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The new bridge system described in this paper uses concrete-filled steel tube girders instead of conventional girders. A new type of shear connector attached to the tube that is -shaped perfobond rib provides the means for developing composite action between the steel tube and the concrete slab deck. Experimental investigations were carried out to examine the flexural behavior of the proposed concrete filled steel tube girder. The experimental investigation consisted of designing and constructing a test specimen and loading it to collapse in bending to understand the ultimate capacity of the system. Test results showed that concrete filled steel tube girder has good ductility and maintains its strength up to the end of the loading. Results of this investigation demonstrated the potential for using a concrete filled tube as bridge girder.Additional experimental investigations were carried out to examine the fatigue behavior of the concrete-filled steel tube girder and revealed also that the new type of girder bridge exhibits good fatigue durability.
