Numerical Study of the Influence of the Distance between Stiffeners on the Loss of Stability of the Web of an I-Section Steel Beam

Abstract

When designing welded I-elements, it is necessary to ensure the reliability of positional web resistance and system stability. The arrangement of transverse stiffeners allows you to break the web into separate compartments. The distance between stiffeners is assigned by the engineer. It is important to assign the distance between transverse stiffeners satisfying the requirement of positional web stability without increasing the web thickness. The article studies the effect of the distance between stiffeners on positional stability. Four test models of steel I-beams with a span of 15 m, with different distances (steps) of double-sided transverse stiffeners are considered. The web of the four models is divided by transverse stiffening ribs into 9, 11, 13, and 15 compartments, respectively. The calculations were performed numerically using SCAD Office software package. For modeling beams, a rectangular shell finite element, type No. 41 is assigned. The left supports of beams are hinged and fixed, right hinged and mobile. The load is collected for floor beams with a step of 6 m and is applied to the upper girdle, as evenly distributed along the axis of the web. From the plane of the beams, in the level of the upper girdle of the welded I-beam, the constraint linear displacements are assigned. The first forms of loss of positional web stability for four models are graphically shown and described. The reliability coefficients for stability for the first three forms of each model are obtained. Conclusions on the effect of the distance between double-sided transverse stiffeners on the positional resistance of the steel I-beam web are given.