UNIWRSITY OF LONDON

MSc Examination 2007 MSc in General Structural Engineering MSc in Structural Steel Design

For Internal Students of the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine

This paper forms part of the examinationfor the Diploma of Imperial College

Plated Structures

Thursday 26 April 2007, 10.00-12.00

Answer TWO questions. All questions cany equal marks.

Candidates are required to bring BS5400-3:2000 to the examination.

2007 University of London

Question 1. Briefly describe two key effects that contribute to the load carrying response of plates being different from that of conventional (one-dimensional) structural components. (4 marks) (b) (i) Explain, with the aid of simple sketches, the rationale behind the Von Karrnan effective width concept. (2 marks) Show that the Von Karman effective width concept gives the ultimate strength of a G , , c~J'~. compressed rectangular plate as om, = ( (3 marks)

(ii)

(iii) Discuss how BS 5400: Part 3 incorporates a similar approach to the Von Karman approach for the design of compressed plates. Explain why you would expect these two methods to yield different results. (2 marks) Describe how longitudinal web stiffeners can be effectively used to increase the bending and shear strength of plate girders (4 marks) Illustrate how the elastic buckling stress of plates in compression and plates in shear are influenced by the aspect ratio of the plate. (5 marks)

Question 2.

Sketch and briefly describe the four principal buckling modes stiffened compression flanges are susceptible to. Discuss how BS 5400: Part 3 accounts for these buckling modes in design. (6 marks) (b) (i) The two box girders shown in Figure 4 2 are subjected to sagging bending moment. Calculate the load carrying capacity of the compression flange of each box using BS 5400: Part 3. All steel has a yield strength of 245 ~ / m m ~ Assume . C , to be equal to 0.5 in the calculation of A. Make a suitable assumption for the position of the neutral axis in the stiffened box girder. (12 marks) (2 marks)

(ii) Comment on the relative merits of the two designs.

Figure 4 2

" " ' a " '

" A " a . " " . " ' "

effects in: (i)

(iij

beams plates in compression

(iii) plates in shear (6 marks) Describe how you would determine an initial sizing for a plate girder. (4 marks) A plate girder is fabricated from a 900 mm x 6 mm web and two 600 mm x 25 mm flanges. The yield strength of the steel is 240 ~ l m m The ~ . web is stiffened by rigid transverse stiffeners at 1260 mm centres, and adequate bracing is provided to prevent lateral torsional buckling from occurring. The section is non-compact, but hlly effective. Check the adequacy of this section to carry a shear force of 300 kN and a co-existent bending moment of 2900 kNm. Comment on your findings. (10 marks)