West Gate Bridge Strengthening Project - The Development of Novel Stiffened Panel Solutions

Abstract

<p>This paper describes the structural assessment work carried out by the West Gate Bridge Strengthening Alliance ("WGBSA") on the West Gate main cable-stayed bridge in devising the necessary strengthening measures for stiffened panels whilst minimizing the need to remove red- lead paint. As a consequence of this work, questions have been raised as to the safety of various stiffener buckling clauses in UK assessment code BD 56[1],[2] and BS 5400 Part 3[3]. The authors discuss the answers to these questions that were able to be addressed within the time-frame of the West Gate strengthening project. Additional issues which require future research are documented at the end of the paper.</p>