Improvement of the interaction formulae for beam columns in Eurocode 3

This paper presents a new proposal for beam-column interaction formulae initially based on second-order in-plane elastic theory, as an alternative to those proposed in the Eurocode 3 pre-standard [1]. It has been derived according to the following requirements: theoretical background, clear physical meaning, consistency with the other related formulae of Eurocode 3 and accuracy. Besides that, the suggested formulae cover all required continuities: between the cross-section classes, from plasticity to elasticity as slenderness and axial force increase, and continuity between all the individual stability member checks and cross-section verifications. Further to the presentation of the formulae and their background, the good agreement of the proposal is shown through an extensive comparison with more than 15,000 results of finite element numerical simulations. (C) 2002 Civil-Comp Ltd. and Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Experimental and numerical investigations for I-Girders in bending and shear stiffened by trapezoidal stiffeners

The paper investigates the shear resistance of I-girders longitudinally stiffened by trapezoidal stiffeners. It first reports on 4 full-scale tests performed at RWTH Aachen, on stiffened panels with strong closed stiffeners. As expected, failure in the subpanels has been governing. A devoted FEA shell model is then described and validated towards these results and other experimental sources. Parametric studies led with the numerical tool help pointing out several aspects where the Eurocode 3 Part 1.5 recommendations on stiffened panels in bending and shear may be improved

Temperature Models for Pricing Weather Derivatives

We present four models for predicting temperatures that can be used for pricing weather derivatives. Three of the models have been suggested in previous literature, and we propose another model which uses splines to remove trend and seasonality effects from temperature time series in a flexible way. Using historical temperature data from 35 weather stations across the United States, we test the performance of the models by evaluating virtual heating degree days (HDD) and cooling degree days (CDD) contracts. We find that all models perform better when predicting HDD indices than predicting CDD indices. However, all models based on a daily simulation approach significantly underestimate the variance of the errors

Experimental and numerical investigations for I-girders in bending and shear stiffened by closed trapezoidal stiffeners for use in steel bridges

peer reviewedThe paper summarizes the investigations on shear resistance of I-girders longitudinally stiffened by closed trapezoidal stiffeners, performed in the frame of a European RFCS project (RFS-CR-03018) designated as “ComBri” (Competitive Steel and Composite Bridges by improved Steel Plated Structures), with configurations typical of what may be expected in the design of modern steel bridges. It first reports on four full-scale tests performed at RWTH Aachen, on stiffened panels with strong closed stiffeners where the deformations have been measured with photogrammetric devices. As expected, failure in the subpanels has been governing. A devoted FEA shell model is then described and validated towards these results and other experimental sources. The numerical simulations demonstrate a very good agreement with the test-results. Parametric studies performed with a sophisticated numerical tool help pointing out several aspects where the recommendations of EN 1993-1-5 [1] on stiffened panels in bending and shear may be improved

New interaction formulae for beam-columns in Eurocode 3: The French-Belgian approach

peer reviewedThis paper presents one of the two new proposals for beam-column interaction formulae, which will be made available in the forthcoming EN version of Eurocode 3. It is based on second-order in-plane elasticity, and has been derived in order to exhibit an understandable physical background, as well as accuracy and consistency with the other resistance and stability formulae of the code. The formulae ensure all the required continuities: between the cross-section classes, from plasticity to elasticity when slenderness and axial force are increasing, and continuity between all the individual stability member checks and cross-section verifications. The paper shows how the basic format may be extended to cover a wider range of cases, i.e. spatial elastic-plastic behaviour with possible lateral-torsional buckling. Through an extensive comparison with the results of FEM numerical simulations of about 15 000 beam-columns, the proposal is found to be safe and accurate. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The interaction formulae for beam-columns: a new step of yet long story

peer reviewe

Entwicklung eines allgemeinen Verfahrens für den Biegedrillknocknachweis von Verbundträgern im Bauzustand

peer reviewe