A review on application of composite truss bridges composed of hollow structural section members

Composite truss with hollow structural section (HSS) members is deemed as the structure applicable to large-span and heavily-loaded bridges. To promote the application of composite truss bridge with HSS members in China, this paper described its structural characteristics and technology in details. Besides, not only were 32 typical design cases of composite truss bridges with HSS members collected, but also the corresponding historical development was summed up. Comparisons on structural components, characteristics and engineering applications were made among composite truss bridges with HSS members in different structural forms. Then, the analysis on the characteristics of composite truss bridges with concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) chords was conducted, and the challenges on the aspects of complicated joints and interfacial debonding were pointed out. To address these problems, the concrete-filled rectangular hollow section (CFRHS) stiffened with PBLs (Perfobond Ribs) was proposed to improve the reliability of confinement effect in CFST member and force transfer in joints. The advantages on the mechanical properties of CFRHS structure stiffened using PBLs were systematically expounded with respect to the behaviors of steel plate, interface, member and joint. Moreover, the structure design, construction technology, structural calculation and economic efficiency of the practical bridge with CFRHS chords stiffened using PBLs were comprehensively analyzed. The results demonstrated that composite truss bridge with PBL-stiffened CFRHS members was competitive in mechanical performance and construction. Keywords: Composite truss bridge, Rectangular hollow section, Concrete-filled, Perfobond ri