Shear-lag revisited: The use of single fourier series for determining the effective breadth in plated structures

Abstract The problem of shear lag is tackled by means of a classical technique which, in its present form, appears to offer a simpler and more direct approach, yielding a closed-form solution for the longitudinal stress distribution in wide flanges of box girders and ensuing effective-breadth ratios. The method is particularly suited to parametric studies and a number of these are undertaken, both for purposes of computational illustration and so as to study cases of practical relevance. Some of the salient features in the latter are highlighted, especially as an aid to engineers at the preliminary design stage of plated structures.