Bearing Stiffeners

Bearing stiffeners are structural elements used to provide additional support and stiffness to the members they are attached to. They are commonly used in steel structures to prevent excessive deformation and failure of the structural elements. Bearing stiffeners are typically made of steel plates and are attached to the flanges of beams or girders.

Purpose of Bearing Stiffeners

The main purpose of bearing stiffeners is to enhance the load-carrying capacity and overall performance of the structural member. They help in distributing the applied loads more evenly and reducing the stress concentrations at critical locations. By providing additional stiffness, bearing stiffeners also help in controlling deflection and preventing buckling of the members.

Locations of Bearing Stiffeners

Bearing stiffeners are typically provided at three specific locations in a structural member:

i. Supports: Bearing stiffeners are commonly placed at the supports of beams or girders. These stiffeners help in transferring the loads from the member to the supporting elements more efficiently. They prevent excessive deflection and ensure that the loads are distributed evenly across the supporting elements.

ii. Mid Span: Bearing stiffeners are also provided at the mid span of long-span beams or girders. These stiffeners help in reducing the bending stresses and deflection at the mid span, where the member is subjected to the maximum bending moment. By providing additional support, they enhance the overall performance and load-carrying capacity of the member.

iii. Point of Application of Concentrated Loads: Bearing stiffeners are also placed at the points of application of concentrated loads. These stiffeners help in distributing the load more evenly across the member and prevent local stress concentrations. By providing additional stiffness, they help in reducing the deflection and enhancing the load-carrying capacity of the member.

Correct Answer

The correct answer to the given question is option 'D', which states that bearing stiffeners are provided at all three locations: supports, mid span, and the point of application of concentrated loads. All these locations are critical in terms of load distribution, deflection control, and overall structural performance. Therefore, bearing stiffeners are required to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the member.

Correct answer is option D