STRENGTH OF STEEL BOX-GIRDER BRIDGES

The research on steel box girders in the United Kingdom which followed the recent bridge disasters is reviewed. The feature special to box girders rather than plate girders is the wider use of thin stiffened plate in the former. Because of this many of the design procedures developed for plate girders are not directly applicable to box girders. Among the aspects examined are the role of imperfections in reducing the strength of compression flanges, the difficulties in applying available tension field theories to box-girder web design, and the stress systems and other parameters affecting the design of load- bearing diaphragms. The key points of the research results which helped form the basis of the Merrison Design Rules are presented. These rules, which are based on limit state design philosophy, are the most comprehensive available to date for box-girder design. Those areas needing further investigation are also identified.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the July 1974 ASCE/EIC/RTAC Joint Transportation Engineering Mtg, Montreal, Canada.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • DOWLING, P J
• Publication Date: 1975-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 1929-46
• Serial:
  • Journal of the Structural Division
  • Volume: 101
  • Issue Number: ST9
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Box girders; Bridge design; Bridges; Flanges; Girder bridges; Metal bridges; Steel bridges; Strength of materials; Structural design; Ultimate load design
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00127206
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE #11550 Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 29 1975 12:00AM