Numerical study of steel plate girders under shear loading at elevated temperatures

After the validation of the numerical models against experimental tests from the literature, an extended number of geometrically and materially nonlinear numerical analyses including imperfections (GMNIA) have been performed dealing with the evaluation of the effect of rigid and non-rigid end posts on the ultimate shear capacity of steel plate girders under fire. The obtained numerical results are compared with the specifications of EC3 for the design at normal temperature adapted to elevated temperatures. These specifications are non-conservative and, for this reason, a new design proposal harmonized with the EC3 principles is presented in order to evaluate the ultimate shear capacity of steel plate girders in fire situation.