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The aim of the paper is to present the process of developing of a new footbridge deck member made of GFRP (glass fibre reinforced polymer) composite using pultrusion production method. The first step was to develop the optimal shape of the cross-section from the point of view of structural strength and material consumption. In the second step of the research the optimal GFRP material (combination of glass roving and reinforcing mats, polymer matrix and additives) was found and tested on tensile strength and fire resistance. The last step was to verify the expected properties of the final product – bridge deck members were tested by static four-point bending and local concentrated force to fulfil requirements of the Eurocode standards so developed bridge deck can be used on pedestrian bridges with the emergency use of medical motor vehicles. In the frame of research numerical simulations of bending tests of bridge deck panels were carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of open double-symmetrical cross-sections are widely used in steel structures. In many cases their webs are subjected to transverse compression resulting from the effect of adjacent members or from the concentrated transverse loads. Resistance of the member web to transverse compression is affected by number of aspects, e.g. structural solution of the joint (welded or bolted with end plate), possible longitudinal normal stress in the member caused by axial load or bending moment, interaction with shear or effect of local buckling of the web. The paper focuses on specific problem of resistance of the web to transverse compression resulting from transverse load applied close to the unstiffened end of the member. The investigation of the resistance of the web to transverse compression is performed using advanced geometrically and materially nonlinear numerical analysis for various distances of the transverse load from the unstiffened end. The influence of this distance on transverse compression resistance is quantified. Rolled and welded cross-sections of various web slenderness are investigated. The results are, where possible, compared with results obtained from available design standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of double-symmetrical open cross-sections are widely used as columns in steel structures. In many cases columns are subjected not only to axial force but also local transverse force due to effect of beams connected to the columns. It results in compression in the column web that should be verified in the structural design. Current standard for design of joints in steel structures provides basic information for verification of this joint component. The design resistance of column web in compression is given as yielding resistance or, based on relative slenderness of the web, buckling resistance which takes into account buckling and crippling of the web that are considered using reduction factor. The complex behaviour of the column web in compression is affected by number of aspects, e.g. structural solution of the joint (bolted, welded, with or without end plate), level of normal stress resulting from axial force or possible interaction with shear. The paper focuses on selected aspects influencing the resistance of the column web in transverse compression and summarizes results of advanced geometrically and materially nonlinear numerical analysis which are compared with results determined using provisions in the standards. The numerical analysis was performed using computation system based on finite element method. As it is considered that the resistance of the column web in transverse compression is influenced also by the geometric properties of the cross-section including geometry of the flange-web transition, both rolled and welded cross-sections with various values of web slenderness were selected for the analysis. Along with evaluation of the results obtained in the frame of the study, suitability of different types of numerical models for investigation of this problem is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]