Experimental study of the shear response of lean duplex stainless steel plate girders

An experimental and numerical study of the shear response of lean duplex stainless steel plate girders is described in this paper. A total of nine welded plate girders were tested. Lean duplex stainless steel, which is a low nickel variety of the material, has approximately twice the strength of the common austenitic grades and at approximately half the initial cost. It also possesses good corrosion resistance and high temperature properties, as well as adequate weldability and fracture toughness. Two web panel aspect ratios and a range of web slendernesses were considered. The results from the experiments, including the full load-deformation histories and failure models are reported. A numerical investigation was carried out in parallel with the testing. The models were first validated against the experimental results after which parametric studies were performed to generate data for a wider range of cross-sections. The generated experimental and numerical data were used to assess the shear resistance design equations given in Eurocode 3: Part 1.4. The current design provisions were shown to be safely applicable to lean duplex stainless steel, though improved guidance is sought in further ongoing research.