Behaviour of partially connected composite plate girders containing web openings

•Behaviour of partially connected composite plate girders with web openings studied.•An analytical method to predict the shear strength and behaviour developed.•The method accounts for presence of circular or square web openings.•Accuracy of the method is established by comparing with finite element results.•Effects of degree of interaction and web opening size are investigated.

This paper is concerned with an approximate method to predict the bending behaviour and ultimate strength of partially connected composite plate girders. Based on curvature compatibility, analytical solution incorporating post-buckling effect in the webs and different degree of shear connection is presented herein. Slender girders with centrally placed square or circular web openings of various proportions are considered in the analysis. The obtained results are verified against the corresponding ones using the established finite element method. A satisfactory correlation between the findings establishes the accuracy of the proposed method to a certain extent. Results are presented in the form of ultimate strength and load-deflection response for girders with variations in shear connection stiffness.