Stability of steel plate girder with alternative web geometry

The main aim of this study is to determine the influence of an alternative geometry of plate girder cross-section on web stability. The proposed modification of geometry consists in application of a variable web thicknesses along its height in order to reduce the number of transverse and longitudinal stiffeners along the length of the plate girder. The following research hypothesis was assumed: increasing the thickness of the compressed web zone of the plate girder will significantly increase its stability, leading to a reduction in the number of transverse and longitudinal stiffeners.The presented data concern experimental tests: 9 research models of plate girders with stepwise variable web thickness and 1 model of a plate girder with constant web thickness, subjected to four-point bending. During the research, the following were measured:- values of the applied force,- strains (7 measurement points: 4 on the chords under concentrated forces (T1, T2, T6, T7), 3 on the web in the middle of the beam span (T3, T4, T5),- displacements (2 measurement points (i1, i2): under the places of application of concentrated forces).