Shear design curves of unstiffened plate girder web panels at high temperatures

Abstract

Owing to the lack of an analytical research on the evaluation of mode change of web panels in addition to the need for shear design curves of unstiffened plate girder web panels exposed to shear buckling especially at elevated temperatures, the present article considers the mentioned topics. To this end, the web panel shear design relationships mentioned in AISC360-16 are modified to be used in fire conditions. This is achieved by direct utilization of steel stress-strain reduction factors in EN1993-1-2 at elevated temperatures. Analytical equations and design curves are developed to estimate the ultimate shear strength, failure mode and critical limiting temperature for the web panels under the action of a specific shear load. The results based on the curves are compared to the findings of current paper numerical analysis, existing experimental and numerical studies, indicating a good agreement between the results.