Investigations Into The Resistance of Sin Girders Reinforced With Tensioned Diagonal Braces

The study presents the means of increasing resistance of girders with corrugated web by enhancing their shear resistance due to the application of diagonal braces subjected to advantageous tension. Diagonal braces were used in the near-support zones, which increased the shear resistance of the girder. Then, the web carries a greater shear load associated with bending. Experimental investigations on increased shear resistance of girder webs were performed using girders with webs having a height of 500, 1000 and 1500 mm. The shear force divided into the corrugated web and diagonal braces were estimated. Shear load-displacements paths for a corrugated web and diagonal braces were determined. The results of investigations into the resistance of girders reinforced with tension diagonal braces were compared with those for girders without reinforcement and with computations in accordance with Eurocode 3. The paper is the first part of the study. Conclusions were drawn and dimensioning recommendations (part two of the study) for corrugated web girders reinforced with tension diagonal braces were produced. The next part of the study will show the application of FEM numerical analysis to theoretical estimation of the ultimate and critical shear and flexural resistance of corrugated web girders reinforced with tension diagonal braces.