Tapered Box Girders of Deformable Cross Section

A general theory of torsion of tapered box girders of deformable cross section, its experimental substantiation, studies of the ultimate strength of box girders, and the use of the theory derived for analysis of a really big bridge, are presented. Warping stresses and distortion stresses from transverse flexure are computed. A simple criterion is derived for load distribution on the bridge to ensure the greatest effects of bending and torsion. It is possible to use computers for practical computations; the presented solution is simplified and expressed in the form of formulas for less important cases. The analysis is applicable to straight tapered box girders of deformable cross section, and also for continuity over intermediate supports, and arbitrary end support conditions. It is also applicable to girders with rigid cross section.