Strength requirements of permanent metal deck forms used for lateral bracing of steel bridge girders

Abstract

Permanent metal deck forms (PMDF) are often used in steel bridges to support the weight of the wet concrete during deck construction. Although the PMDF also has the potential to provide bracing to steel bridge girders during construction, the stiffness of the PMDF system as a lateral brace is drastically reduced by the eccentric support angle connection detail used to attach the forms to the girders. Laboratory tests have shown that a simple modification to the connection detail can substantially increase the stiffness of these PMDF systems and allow utilization of the PMDF for girder bracing. This paper presents results from a parametrical study conducted to determine stability and strength requirements for PMDF used to provide lateral bracing to steel bridge girders. Detailed FEA models were used to determine the stability bracing strength requirements for the fasteners that are used to connect the PMDF along the sidelaps of the sheets and to the girders. Design expressions are presented as well as an example demonstrating the use of the design equations.