An analytical method for ultimate shear strength of composite plate girders with web openings

•Ultimate load behavior of composite plate girders with web openings studied.•An analytical method to predict the shear capacity proposed.•The method accounts for presence of circular, square or rectangular web openings.•Accuracy of the method is established by comparing with experimental results.•Effect of web opening size on the ultimate shear capacity is investigated. The paper presents an analytical method to determine the ultimate shear capacity of composite plate girders containing web openings. Since one of the flanges of the steel girder is connected to reinforced concrete slab through shear connectors the behavior differs from that of a bare steel plate girder. The analysis of such behavior is complex and hence it is necessary to have a simple method for design office use. A simple analytical method to determine the shear strength of the girder is presented herein. The method considers the effects of composite action between the concrete deck and steel part of the girder and the presence of openings in the webs. Contributions to the shear strength of the girder by tension field action in the plate girder web panel and shear failure of concrete slab are accounted for in the proposed method. The accuracy of the method is assessed by comparing the predicted values with the corresponding experimental results. Effects of web openings on ultimate shear capacity of composite girders are investigated.