PROBABILISTIC DESIGN OF COMPOSITE GIRDERS CONSIDERING THE DEGRADATION OF THE SHEAR CONNECTION AND THE REDISTRIBUTION OF FORCES

Fatigue design of composite girders and in particular shear connectors according to Eurocode 4 is based on fatigue strength curves. Therefore, the lifetime a girder can be limited by failure critical connector. The probability component thus determined one stud or dowel, although an internally highly statically indeterminate system with possibility redistributing forces connection. This paper outlines positive effects considering crack propagation residual capacity cracks as well towards less stressed damaged connectors. Monte Carlo simulation using lamella model incremental calculation degradation results show economic potential future global safety concept for especially dowels.