Finite element investigation of shear capacity of locally corroded end panel of steel plate girder

Abstract

This study discusses the effect of local corrosion damages nearby the bearing region including the bearing stiffener and adjacent web damage on the ultimate shear and post-buckling strength of steel plate girder bridges. A computer package ABAQUS is utilized for the verification and extension of the numerical study. Various corrosion damage cases, specifically the bearing stiffener are studied considering different damage thickness and damage heights. The study concludes that local damage on bearing stiffener damage is more fatal than the local web damage for the shear resistance of the plate girder. Further, some empirical relationships are also derived to assess the residual shear capacity of the locally corroded plate girder at the bearing region.