r

4.2 Bulb flats

r 30

r d r

c
r

Bulb flats are tailor made for plate stiffening applications. Their special shape provides significant benefits compared with other types of stiffener. Bulb flats provide benefits during the initial steel construction phase, and also during the working life of a ship or other products on which they are used. Bulb flats offer many unique benefits for achieving these objectives: They are ready to use plate stiffeners, bulb flats are more cost effective. The unique shape of a bulb flat distributes steel to maximize resistance to buckling. The compact shape of a bulb flat offers easy access for welding and painting. Bulb flats can also reduce coating material while maintaining the same section modulus. The rounded shape of a bulb flat provides inherent corrosion resistance features. It enhances drainage, and minimises dirt and moisture traps. The advantages of bulb flats stretch beyond the initial building phase to provide benefits during the working life of a ship. Their shape has inherent corrosion resistance features, and they are more user friendly for repair and maintenance, compared with other stiffeners. Recognition of the benefits which bulb flats provide is resulting in increased usage in bridges around the world, both large and small. The advantages that bulb flats offer assist both the initial construction phase as well as the working life of the bridge.

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4.2 Bulb flats

BSEN 10067:1997

Nominal Thickness Mass/Unit Bulb Size Length Height b t G c [mm] [mm] [kg/m] [mm] 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 7 8 10 7 8 9 11 8 9 10 11 9 10 11 12 10 11 12 10 11 12 10 11 12 4.25 4.88 6.86 7.65 7.32 8.26 9.20 9.75 10.85 13.05 11.46 12.72 13.97 16.49 14.80 16.22 17.63 19.04 18.57 20.14 21.71 23.28 22.77 24.50 26.22 25.50 27.39 29.27 28.35 30.39 32.43 14 14 15.5 15.5 17 17 17 19 19 19 22 22 22 22 25 25 25 25 28 28 28 28 31 31 31 34 34 34 37 37 37

Distance to Centre of Gravity d [cm] 4.90 4.78 5.87 5.78 7.21 7.07 6.96 8.32 8.18 7.99 9.66 9.50 9.37 9.16 10.9 10.7 10.6 10.5 12.1 12.0 11.2 11.7 13.4 13.2 13.0 14.8 14.6 14.4 16.2 16.0 15.8

Bulb Radius r [mm] 4 4 4.5 4.5 5 5 5 5.5 5.5 5.5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11

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r r 30

r d r

c
r

Nominal Thickness Mass/Unit Bulb Size Length Height b t G c [mm] [mm] [kg/m] [mm] 280 300 320 340 370 400 430 11 12 13 11 12 13 12 13 14 12 13 14 13 14 15 14 15 16 14 15 17 19 20 33.50 35.70 37.90 36.70 39.09 41.44 42.60 45.09 47.60 46.20 48.86 51.50 54.70 57.60 60.50 63.96 67.10 70.20 70.60 73.90 80.70 87.40 90.80 40 40 40 43 43 43 46 46 46 49 49 49 53.5 53.5 53.5 58 58 58 62.5 62.5 62.5 62.5 62.5

Distance to Centre of Gravity d [cm] 17.4 17.2 17.0 18.9 18.7 18.5 20.1 19.9 19.7 21.7 21.3 21.1 23.5 23.3 23.1 25.5 25.2 25.0 27.7 27.5 27.0 26.5 26.3

Bulb Radius r [mm] 12 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 14 15 15 15 16.5 16.5 16.5 18 18 18 19.5 19.5 19.5 19.5 19.5

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