FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE PLATE GIRDERS WITH A CORRUGATED WEB

Abstract

Corrugated steel plates are widely used in pre-stressed box girder bridges due to its ability to achieve an adequate shear buckling resistant and reduce the dead weights. The present study aimed to determine the static behaviour of two and four panels composite plate girder with a corrugated web by using LUSAS software. The numerical models were validated according to the outcomes of a previous experimental test. The validation results indicated a good consistency in terms of load-deflection response, shear strength and failure mode. Intensive parametric studies were carried out to determine the effects of corrugation angle (𝛼), corrugated web thickness (𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑏), flange thickness (𝑡𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒) and concrete strength on the behaviour of composite plate girder. The results indicated a positive increase in the shear strength and change in the failure mode of the both investigated girders with the increase of corrugation angle, web and flange thickness. On the other hand, a slight effect was noted for the concrete strength on the shear resistance and failure mode of the composite plate girders with corrugated webs, therefore, a considerable reduction in the construction cost might be achieved by utilizing a normal concrete strength in the design.

Keywords

• Corrugation angle
• Deflection
• LUSAS
• Plate girder
• Web thickness.