Experimentally Validated Nonlinear Analysis of Bridge Plate Girders with Deformations

Comprehensive methodology of numerical nonlinear analysis of the consecutive phases in the structural behaviour of bridge plate girders with deformations is presented. The analysis concerns all stages of structure loading until failure and especially determination of the ultimate shear load capacity. Verification and validation of the numerical procedures proposed is based on comparison of the calculated results with effects of experimental laboratory shear capacity tests of plate girders carried out at the University of Ljubljana.