Study on Elastic Global Shear Buckling of Curved Girders with Corrugated Steel Webs: Theoretical Analysis and FE Modelling

Abstract

Despite the construction of several curved prestressed concrete girder bridges with corrugated steel webs (CSWs) around the world; their shear behavior has seldom been investigated. Accordingly, this paper substitutes the lack of available information on the global elastic shear buckling of a plane curved corrugated steel web (PCCSW) in a curved girder. This is based on the equilibrium equations and geometric equations in the elastic theory of classical shells, combined with the constitutive relation of orthotropic shells. Currently, the global elastic shear buckling process of the PCCSW in a curved girder is studied, for the first time in literature, with an equivalent orthotropic open circular cylindrical shell (OOCCS) model. The governing differential equation of global elastic shear buckling of the PCCSW, as well as its buckling strength, is derived by considering the orthotropic characteristics of a corrugated steel web, the rational trigonometric displacement modes, Galerkin’s method and variational principles. Additionally, the accuracy of the proposed theoretical formula is verified by comparison with finite element (FE) results. Moreover, the expressions of the inner or outer folded angle and radius of curvature are given by the cosine theorem of the trigonometric function and inverse trigonometric function. Subsequently, parametric analysis of the shear buckling behavior of the PCCSW is carried out by considering the cases where the radius of curvature is constant or variable. This parametric analysis highlights the effects of web dimensions, height-to-thickness ratio, aspect ratios of longitudinal and inclined panels, corrugation height, curvature radius and folded angles on the elastic shear buckling strength. As a result, this study provides a theoretical reference for the design and application of composite curved girders with CSWs.

Shear Strength of Trapezoidal Corrugated Steel Webs for Horizontally Curved Girder Bridges

“…As is shown in Figure 9, strain rosette gages were used to measure the strains in three directions. The shear strain γ w and the principle strain direction angle ϕ can be calculated by Equations (26) and (27) respectively.…”

“…The ultimate shear strength of curved girders uses the equation of straight girders introducing a modification factor to account for the curvature of curved girders. Wang et al [27] theoretically and numerically studied the elastic global shear buckling of HCGs with CSWs and proposed a global shear buckling stress formula for a four-edge simple support. From the studies mentioned above, it is clear that a lot of work has been done related to the shear behavior of straight girders with CSWs, but limited work to HCGs.…”

Shear Lag Effect and Accordion Effect on Dynamic Characteristics of Composite Box Girder Bridge with Corrugated Steel Webs

“…Based on the early studies on the shear mode and bending mode of vertically trapezoidal corrugated webs, two significant findings were confirmed: the buckling of the web was local and global for dense and coarse corrugation, and the corrugated web could be ignored in beam-bending studies because of its insignificant influence on the load-carrying capability of the whole beam [2]. Johnson et al [3] drew similar conclusions based on finite-element analyses and laboratory tests, and proposed the formula for effective shear modulus.…”

Buckling of Corrugated Ring under Uniform External Pressure

“…Corrugation of smooth shells is widely used to change their stiffness. In particular, for cylindrical shells under external pressure, the corrugation of the generatrix is used [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]; corrugation of the directrix significantly increases the stability of such shells under axial compression [8]. Therefore, the study of the stability of corrugated shells under external pressure is of practical importance.…”