Sherif Sh if A A. M Mourad d
Professor of Steel Structures and Bridges Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University
Why Strengthen?
Inadequate
Strengthen or Replace?
Age g of the structure. Quality of material. Fatigue effect on operation. Estimated cost. cost Added length g of life. Possible future increase in load
Strengthen or Replace?
Typically, yp y, strengthening g g is undertaken only to improve certain weak parts, not the entire member. member If it is found that the entire member (the ( entire span of a bridge, for example), it may be more economical to replace the member, rather than strengthen it.
Physical Condition
Physical y condition shall be determined by y a detailed inspection. Establish E bli h the h type of f steel l and di its physical h i l and chemical p properties p by y examining g original documents and/or taking specimens for testing. testing Carry y out load test to check actual stresses, deflections, and vibrations..
Evaluation of Stresses
Allowable stresses of the added materials under the load for which they are strengthened shall conform to the Egyptian Code. New material shall be considered effective in carrying additional (live) load only, unless dead load stresses are removed d temporarily il f from the h members. b
Evaluation of Stresses
The stresses of the original section shall be checked h k d under d d dead dl load d and d any additional ddi i l live loads. Members shall be investigated for any loss of strength resulting from the temporary removal of rivets, cover plates or any other parts. S Strengthening h i shall h ll not b be confined fi d to main i members only, but shall include bracing, lacing, battens,
Eccentricity
The added material shall p preferably y be applied so as to obtain a symmetric section. section If a symmetric y section cannot be achieved, the eccentricity of the member shall be taken into consideration in the stress analysis.
Welding
Electric arc welding g may y be used subject j to approval. Welds W ld and d rivets i shall h ll not b be assumed d to work together. g Welding shall be in accordance with the E ti Code. Egyptian C d
Welding
When welds are added to existing rivets: Welds shall be designed to transmit the entire stresses except where the original member stresses, shall sustain the entire DL, then the welds shall be designed to carry only the LL. LL When a few of the rivets are loose or defective, HSB may be used to carry DL provided they are installed p prior to welding. g
M i Beams Main B
Flanges and web. Stiffeners. Initial tension tension. Effective span. Wind bracing. Increasing the number of girders girders. Substitution.
Flanges Fl
Flange section may be increased by adding cover plates l or by b replacing l i the h existing i i cover plate l b by a new one. If the exposed surface of old cover plates is rough or uneven from the effect of corrosion, they shall be discarded and new plates provided. If more than one p plate shall be replaced, p , it is better to replace them with a single plate with adequate size. s e.
Flanges Fl
Cover plates added to plate girders without existing cove plates shall be full length, length and shall be connected with rivets, HSB, or continuous fillet weld (if material is weldable). Cover plates added to rolled sections without existing cove plates shall be full length, length and shall be connected with rivets, HSB, or continuous fillet weld ( (if material is weldable). ) When secondary beams rest directly on main beams, , flange g angles g may y be strengthened g by y bolting new flange angles.
Flanges Fl
If it is difficult or expensive to remove the R.C. floor on top of beams, the flange section may y be increased by y adding g fullfulllength angles or plates just below the flange angles. angles In this case, the vertical stiffeners must be cut and replaced. Bottom flanges may be similarly reinforced to keep symmetry.
Web W b
If the web cannot carry the loads, a bolted reinforcing web should be introduced. W ldi i Welding is not recommended d dd due to the h low fatigue g strength g of weld terminals.
Stiffeners Stiff
Bearing stiffeners may be strengthened by adding angles or plates, grinding the new plates so that they fit tightly, tightly or by welding them to the flanges. Intermediate stiffeners may be added by riveting HSB riveting, HSB, or welding welding. Ensure that they are not welded to the tension flange.
Initial Tension
Strengthening may be done by doubling the main girders (reducing the spacing by oneonehalf) and providing the necessary lateral bracing for the new beams. Spacing should consider allowing for inspection maintenance, inspection, maintenance and painting of the interior surface of the beams.
C Connections ti
Beam Beam-to
Stringer Bracket
Modified Bracing
T Truss Systems S t
Addition
of new trusses:
New truss should be of stiffness comparable bl t to the th old ld trusses. t New truss should be joined with the bracing system to ensure uniform deflection. de ect o .
T Truss Systems S t
Auxiliary y
Support pp System: y
New intermediate supports may be introduced to shorten the span. A complete reanalysis is necessary as straining actions may reverse direction. direction Members having insufficient capacity shall h ll b be strengthened h d prior i to i installation ll i of the new supports.
T Truss Systems S t
Additional
Chords:
Convert the existing truss by adding new members b t to increase i the th depth. d th For the new system to be fully effective for DL and LL, initial stresses must be provided p ov ded into to the t e new ew chord. c o d.
Additional Chords