ANALYTICAL STUDY ON THE SECTIONAL FORCE OF HORIZONTAL STIFFENER FOR HIGH STRENGTH BOLTED END PLATE CONNECTION

Abstract

 A horizontal stiffener which prevents end plates’ deformation also has the effect of reducing the separation between end plates and the increment of bolts’ force by sharing the sectional force from lower flange. However, it is difficult to estimate the sectional force in horizontal stiffener from beam theory, and no calculation methods for this sectional force are proposed. Therefore, in this study, FE analysis of I girder was conducted to propose the estimation formula for sectional forces in horizontal stiffener and lower flange. From the analytical results, the estimation formula was proposed by using parameters of horizontal stiffener and I girder. In addition, the behavior of sectional forces in horizontal stiffener and lower flange with end plate connection is clarified.