Behavior of Rolled Section Web under Eccentric Edge Compressive Loads

Abstract

Webs of rolled and built‐up beams can be subjected to in‐plane compressive edge loads. Since stiffeners are not always provided under the load, it is necessary to check the unstiffened web under this loading condition. The results from 22 tests conducted to study, for the first time, the effect of small eccentricities of the load with respect to the web, are reported in this paper. Eccentricity, the only variable considered, ranges from 0 to 0.5 in. Loads are applied uniformly through a thick patch plate placed eccentrically with respect to the plane of the web on the top flange of the beam, or applied as an eccentric line load through a cylindrical bar placed on the top flange. Practically, there is no reduction in the ultimate capacity of the web due to the eccentricity when the load is applied through the patch plate. Considerable reductions, however, are observed when the load is applied through the cylindrical bar. A linear finite element model is developed. The analysis results are compared with the test results obtained at the initial stages of loading, before large out‐of‐plane displacements or local yielding occur, and the comparison is satisfactory.