• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.2A
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• pp.391-399
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• 2006

Plate girders with variable depths have been often used at piers considering not only the economy but also an aesthetic aspect. Tapered plate girders exhibit more complicated behaviors than prismatic girders especially under shear. However, a comprehensive design method for the determination of the shear strength has yet to be developed mainly due to lack of study. In this study, investigated is the buckling and ultimate behaviors of tapered plate girders subjected to shear through finite element analyses. From the analysis results, a simple design formula is suggested for the evaluation of the shear strength of tapered plate girders.