Compressive strength assessment of a moderately corroded box girder

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the experimental test of a multispan corroded stiffened box girder subjected to moderate corrosion deterioration. The experiment is carried out to study the compressive collapse strength of a box girder subjected to four-point loading, which results in a constant vertical bending moment. The box girder reproduces the behaviour of a midship hull structure. The collapse modes are discussed, showing the effect of corrosion on the final collapse mode and the release of the residual stresses. The load-displacement, moment-curvature as well as the strain readings are presented and analysed. The ultimate bending moment results have been compared with some existing formulas, showing the lack of the prediction of the behaviour of the corroded structures.