AN EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF WEB OPENINGS ON THE ELASTIC BEHAVIOUR OF CELLULAR STRUCTURES

An experimental study of the effects of web openings on the elastic behaviour of a single-cell girder is described. In particular the influence of the openings on the shear stiffness of the web plates, on the torsional stiffness of the cell and on the shear lag characteristics is studied. The experimental model is representative of one cell of a typical multi-cellular structure and the results obtained can be used in the application of grillage techniques to the analysis of such structures. Finite element results are compared with the experimental values and the accuracy of the method in the analysis of girders containing web openings is established. (Author/TRRL)