The initial buckling behaviour of flat and curved fibre metal laminate panels

Recommendations for the shear assessment of reinforced concrete slab bridges from experiments

Upon assessment of existing reinforced concrete short-span solid slab bridges according to the recently implemented Eurocodes that include more conservative shear capacity provisions and heavier axle loads, a number of these structures were found to be shear-critical. The results from recent experimental research on the shear capacity of slabs...

Shear capacity of slabs under a combination of loads

Existing solid slab bridges under a combination of wheel loads and distributed traffic loads sometimes do not fulfil the code requirements for shear. However, reinforced concrete slabs loaded close to the support are subjected to shear stresses which might result in a failure mode of combined punching and shear. This behaviour is studied in a...

Shear assessment of reinforced concrete slab bridges

The capacity of reinforced concrete solid slab bridges in shear is assessed by comparing the design beam shear resistance to the design value of the applied shear force due to the permanent actions and live loads. Results from experiments on half-scale continuous slab bridges are used to develop a set of recommendations for the assessment of...

Concrete slabs under a combination of loads in shear

Previous experimental research at Delft University of Technology indicated an increased shear capacity of slabs under concentrated loads as a function of decreasing distance to the adjacent line support. Expressions have been derived for this increase, including the definition of an appropriate effective width. However, it is unknown if the...

Prolonging the service life of existing reinforced concrete slab bridges through experimental studies on the shear capacity

A large number of existing reinforced concrete slab bridges are found to be insufficient for shear when calculated according to the governing codes. Seeking improved methods, for example, based on new experimental evidence, to assess the residual shear capacity and prolonging their service life can avoid large economic, environmental and social...

Shear In Reinforced Concrete Slabs under Concentrated Loads close to Supports

The capacity of existing solid slab bridges in the Netherlands is under discussion for two reasons: 1) the increased traffic loads and volumes and 2) the fact that the majority of the existing bridges were built before 1976, and are thus reaching the end of their original life span. Upon assessment according to the governing codes, a large...

Upgrading Old Movable Bridges with FRP Deck Application: The case study of Wilhelminabrug

Fibre Reinforced Polymer bridge decks, thanks to their beneficial properties and various advantages over traditional materials, have great potential as a material used in bridge engineering. They exercise high specific strength and stiffness-to-weight-ratio, a property particularly interesting from the point of view of designers, as it provides...

Applying Experimental Results to the Shear Assessment Method for Solid Slab Bridges

The combination of increased live loads and a more conservative shear capacity in the recently implemented Eurocodes, resulted in a large number of existing solid slab bridges in the Netherlands being shear-critical upon assessment. However, an enhancement of the shear capacity can occur in slabs under concentrated wheel loads due to transverse...

Optimisation of plate girders

In many steel structures like buildings, industrial halls and bridges, standardized hot-rolled sections are used. These sections are divided into specific types in Europe and similar profiles in the USA. The range of hot-rolled sections is limited and therefore fabricated plate girders are used when the standard hot-rolled sections do not meet...