Tolerances in steel plated structures

Abstract

Geometric and structural imperfections have an effect on the ultimate strength of steel plated structures. The national codes differ significantly in this respect. A statistical analysis is made of about 15,000 initial deflection measurements on full size bridges, performed in four European countries. Parallel theoretical considerations and a critical review of the few theoretical papers devoted to the study of the effect of imperfections enable the task group to propose definite values for the acceptable geometrical imperfections. It is also shown that, for practical purposes, no measurement of residual stresses should be imposed. (Author/TRRL)