Concept: Stiffeners • When web of the plate girder is not sufficient enough to carry the loads. In that case, stiffeners are provided which perform certain specific functions which are discussed below. . In general, there are only two types of stiffener viz. intermediate stiffener and bearing stiffener but as per IS 800:2007 the following types of stiffeners are identified based on purpose for which a stiffener is being used: (a) Intermediate and longitudinal stiffener: To improve the buckling strength of a slender web due shear. (b) Load carrying stiffener: To prevent web buckling due to concentrated load. (c) Bearing stiffener: To prevent local crushing of the web due to concentrated loads or reactions. (d) Torsional stiffener: To provide lateral restraint to beams and girders at support. (e) Diagonal stiffener: To provide a sort of local reinforcement to web under shear and bearing. (f) Tension stiffener: To transfer tensile forces applied to the web through a flange. • Plate girder is assumed to be supported over the edges of the stiffeners.