Early age shrinkage and casting sequence effects in composite steel-concrete girders

This paper analyses the problem of slab cracking in composite steel-concrete girders during the constructive phases due to early age concrete shrinkage and to casting sequence effects. The analysis is performed by means of a theoretical model, which includes connection deformability and creep effects. The numerical solution is obtained by means the finite element method and the step-by-step procedures. The proposed model is then applied to a real composite deck showing the advantages obtained by an optimised casting sequence in comparison to the continuous casting of the slab.