Web Crippling Strength of Longitudinally Stiffened Steel Plate Girder Webs Subjected to Concentrated Loading

Currently, the AISC Specification provides guidance for the calculation of the ultimate strength of unstiffened plate girder webs subjected to concentric edge loads. Specifications consider three categories: local web yielding, web crippling, and sideway web buckling. Based on previous studies, the presence of longitudinal stiffeners in the web has not been considered in the calculation procedures. Longitudinal stiffeners in steel plate girders are primarily used to increase bending. In the last two decades, a number of projects regarding the positive effect of longitudinal stiffening on the strength of plate girder webs to concentrated load have been conducted around the world. The results have shown that this type of stiffening enhances ultimate strength for web crippling, depending on the position of the stiffener that modifies the slenderness of the directly loaded panel and flexural and torsional rigidities of the stiffener. This paper presents a methodology for the consideration of longitudinal stiffening on the ultimate strength of plate girders webs subjected to concentrated loads. The methodology is based on the plastic collapse mechanism observed experimentally, in which plastic hinges are formed in the loaded flange and yield lines result in the portion of the web limited by the loaded flange and stiffener. Then, a closed-form solution accounting for the influence of the stiffener is developed following the current expression available in the AISC Specification. Theoretical predictions are compared with available test results, showing that the predicted ultimate loads are in good agreement with experimental results.