In-plane ultimate compressive strengths of HPS deck panel system stiffened with U-shaped ribs

The ultimate compressive strengths of deck plates stiffened longitudinally by U-shaped stiffeners have been investigated by the nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA). A total of 112 hypothetical models with various combinations of slenderness parameters for the deck plates and column slenderness parameters for the stiffeners were modeled and analyzed. Both conventional and high performance steels were considered in models following elasto-plastic strain hardening constitutive relationships. Initial geometric imperfections and residual stresses were also incorporated in the FEA. Numerical results from FEA have been compared to compressive strengths from Eurocode 3 EN 1993-1-5, FHWA-TS-80–205, and other available formulas. Based on analysis results, new unified strength predictor equations have been developed for the stiffened plate systems with conventional steel and/or high performance steel (HPS). It has been found that use of Eurocode 3 EN 1993-1-5 and FHWA-TS-80–205 may lead to highly conservative design when large column slenderness parameters are encountered. The proposed equations have simple forms yet provide accurate strength predictions resulting in more economic design.