ABSTRACT
Using the results of previous research, the Eurocode 3-1-5 gives the design rules for determining the shear resistance of I-girders with trapezoidal or sinusoidal corrugated webs. As in the case of plated structural elements with flat webs, the shear resistance is given as:
Vbw Rd C fywtwhw
M , = χ γ 1 3
(1)
For corrugated webs, the difference comes down to the reduction factor which is equal to the lesser value of factor for local and global buckling. Local instability can be determined assuming a model of a simply supported isotropic plate of the widest single fold supported by the adjacent folds along its vertical edges and by the flanges along its horizontal edges. A general solution to this case, according to the classical plate buckling theory has the form as below:
τ τσcr k e= (2)
1 INTRODUCTION
So far the corrugated sheeting was mainly used as a roof and wall covering in industrial buildings. The idea of using them as the webs in plate girder appeared in the 1930’s. The corrugated webs allows to reduce the weight of the structure while maintaining comparable strength properties compared to the beams with flat webs. Due to the fact that the corrugations increase stability to the web, the need of transverse stiffeners is eliminated. From all types of corrugates the most advantageous properties characterized the sinusoidal one. A smooth change of curvature allows to easily automate the process of welding. In contrast to the trapezoidal webs, where a system of flat subpanels is sensitive to local instability, in sinusoidal ones there will not appear the interactive shear buckling behavior.
