Modified Calculation on Shear Stress in the Hogging Moment Regions of Tapered Girder Bridges with Corrugated Steel Webs

Abstract

In the hogging bending moment regions near intermediate supports of tapered girder bridges (TGBs) with corrugated steel webs (CSWs) is identified as the critical shear section due to bending moments and shear forces reaching their peak, thereby exposing the CSWs to the risk of shear buckling. The study examined the shear behaviors in the hogging moment regions of TGBs with CSWs through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and experimental verification. Owing to the impact of the accordion effect, the shear deformation of the CSWs in hogging moment regions is particularly pronounced. However, because the shear stiffness of the CSWs is significantly lower than that of the concrete flanges, the shear deformation of the CSWs is constrained by the concrete flanges, resulting in additional shear force within the CSWs. These shear forces are unevenly distributed lengthwise, being more prominent near the crossbeam and gradually diminishing toward the midspan. Additionally, the impact of the Résal effect becomes increasingly prominent near the intermediate supports. Influenced by the Résal effect, the inclined bottom concrete flange actively contributes to shear resistance, significantly sharing the shear in section and thereby reducing the effective shear experienced by the CSWs. Improving upon the traditional basic shear formula, this study proposed a refined formula to more accurately predict the shear stresses in the hogging moment regions of the TGBs with CSWs by considering the additional shear stresses induced by shear deformation and the Résal effect.