A new shear strength model for steel corrugated web girders

Abstract

Steel corrugated web girders have three shear failure modes: local, global, and interaction shear buckling. Despite several research studies, only EN1993-1-5 provisions have a design manual for such beams. However, this code does not consider the interaction buckling mode in design equations, while many researchers have emphasized the importance of this instability aspect. In this paper, the EN design manual is improved by considering interaction shear buckling mode, and a new model for the shear strength design of these girders is developed. The accuracy of the proposed model is verified by comparing it with the previously published models and available experimental test data in the literature. An extensive statistical and finite element analysis (FEA) is conducted to evaluate the model for various geometry and material specifications. Results demonstrate that the proposed model is more reliable than those previously reported. The effects of corrugation geometry on the shear strength of these beams are discussed in detail, and a logical geometry range is specified. An equation is also presented for corrugation specifications to achieve the maximum shear capacity. Furthermore, some limitations are defined for the corrugation angle and longitudinal to inclined fold width ratio to reduce the beam weight and reach the optimum design. Based on the recommendations from this research, the corrugation geometry of some existing bridges is modified, and their shear capacity and weight per unit length are compared with the original corrugations using FEA. Results show the effectiveness of the proposed limitations and equation for corrugation geometry.