The collapse of welded aluminium plate girders—an experimental study

Abstract

Twenty-two tests conducted to study the collapse behaviour of welded aluminium girders are described. The girders are of varying proportions, have transverse or longitudinal web stiffeners and are subjected to different combinations of shear and bending loads. It is observed that, although shear sway mechanisms similar to those for steel girders do develop, the webs of aluminium girders may fracture in the heat affected zones adjacent to the perimeter welds. These fractures develop at some stage during the formation of the collapse mechanism and are the consequence, rather than the cause, of failure. It is shown that the tension field theory, originally developed for steel girders, may overestimate the shear-carrying capacity of aluminium girders and it is concluded that the theory requires some modification before it can be applied with confidence to aluminium girders.