Collapse of transversely reinforced plate girders subjected to in-plane patch loading

This paper describes results of experimental and theoretical investigation into a collapse of plate girders subjected to localised edge loading. The girders tested were simply supported and subjected to a central localised load acting on the top flange. Each girder comparised three panels. The ends of the girders were constrained against rotation. Experimental evidence has shown conclusively that plastic hinges form in the loaded flange accompained by yield lines in the web. The mode of failure and assumed collapse mechanism obtained by these tests are shown. The simple approximate solution for these plate girders with long span and narrow flange is given. Comparison with experimental results confirms that this mechanism solution gives good agreement between predicted collapse load and experimental collapse load.