ABSTRACT
The steel-concrete composite bridge tower serves as the primary load-bearing component in long-span cable-supported bridges. The connection design between concrete and steel elements requires meticulous consideration during structural engineering practice. To investigate the load transfer mechanism and elastic-plastic behavior of steel-concrete connections, this study develops a refined finite element model using the ABAQUS platform. Through analysis of stress distribution patterns across components under various design load combinations, the ultimate elastic-plastic capacity and plastic deformation characteristics were evaluated against conventional configurations. Results demonstrate that concrete elements and shear connectors maintain effective within the elastic range. During progressive plastification phases, pronounced stress concentrations develop at the steel-concrete interface, particularly in connector weldment zones.
