Influence of stiffener and flange on elastic critical load of i-girders subjected to patch loading

Abstract

The paper considers the influence of patch load length, flange thickness, and stiffener's characteristics on the behaviour of steel plate girders subjected to patch loading in terms of elastic stability. The aim is to show the dependence of the elastic critical load on the mentioned parameters, through the buckling coefficients of the isolated web plate and steel I-girders subjected to patch loading. The girder without transverse stiffeners in the load application zone, but with longitudinal stiffener was analyzed. The buckling coefficients of clamped plate and I-girder are compared, and suggestions for improving the EN1993-1-5 patch loading resistance model are presented. The paper gives a brief overview of the ultimate load capacity of longitudinaly stiffened I-girders. Numerical results are compared with the results of current standards EN1993-1-5. The aim of this research is to single out the characteristics of the girders that have the greatest impact on the elastic critical load. It is necessary to come up with new expressions for the calculation of the buckling coefficient through more detailed and comprehensive analyzes. It is shown that the influence of stiffener and flange cannot be neglected because both parameters are important.