ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: This paper presents a design method for stiffened flanges used in steel box girder bridges based on a set of design curves that take into account all relevant parameters regarding the ultimate strength of stiffened flanges, including the real boundary conditions for the in-plane displacements at the edges. These design curves were developed and calibrated based on the results obtained with nonlinear analysis using the semi-analytical and finite element methods and they were validated by comparison with the results of experimental tests in accordance with the target failure probability of the European standard EN-1990. A comparison between the ultimate strength obtained using the proposal design curves with that obtained using the nonlinear analysis and the current bridge design rules is presented.
