Influence of curved flange-to-web connection on the transverse load resistance of extruded or hot-rolled I girders

In case of hot-rolled or extruded profiles, the fillet corner shaping of the flange-to-web connection may highly increase the transverse load resistance. Real test illustrates the proneness of compact aluminium profiles to web crippling and the influence of the curved corner. Numerical model is developed and validated by the real test. Invoking non-linear numerical analysis, parametric study on simply supported girders subjected to interaction of transverse load and bending confirms the beneficial influence of the curved corners. Based on the results the author proposes a modification in the Eurocode formulation. The simulation results prove the validity of the proposed method.

► Real test confirms the proneness of compact aluminium section to web crippling.
► Numerical model is developed and validated for non-linear simulation of I girders.
► Study confirms the beneficial influence of the curved-corner web-to-flange joint.
► Simple modification in the current Eurocode design method is proposed.