Semi-continous beam-to-column joints for slim-floor systems in seismic zones

The slim-floor building system is attractive to constructors and architects due to the integration of steel beam in the overall height of the floor, which leads to additional floor-to-floor space, used mostly in acquiring additional storeys. The concrete slab offers natural fire protection for steel beams, while the use of novel corrugated steel sheeting reduces the concrete volume, and replaces the secondary beams (for usual spans of steel structures). Currently the slim-floor solutions are applied in non-seismic regions, and there are few studies that consider continuous or semi-continuous fixing of slim-floor beams. The present study was performed with the aim to develop reliable end-plate bolted connections for slim-floor beams, capable of being applicable to buildings located in areas with seismic hazard. It is based on numerical finite element analysis, developed in two stages. In a first stage, a finite element numerical model was calibrated based on a four point bending test of a slim-floor beam. Further, a case study was analysed for the investigation of beam-to-column joints with moment resisting connections between slim-floor beams and columns. The response was investigated considering both sagging and hogging bending moment. The results are analysed in terms of moment-rotation curve characteristics and failure mechanism.

Analysis of concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns under combined fire and loading

In fire scenarios, concrete-filled stainless steel tubular (CFSST) columns undergo initial loading at ambient temperature, loading during the heating phase as the fire develops, loading during the cooling phase as the fire dies out and continual loading after the fire. CFSST columns may fail some points during this process under combined fire and loading. In this paper, the failure modes and corresponding working mechanism of CFSST columns subjected to an entire loading and fire history are investigated. Sequentially coupled thermal-stress analyses in ABAQUS are employed to establish the temperature field and structural response of the CFSST column. To improve the precision of the finite element (FE) model, the influence of moisture on the thermal conductivity and specific heat of concrete during both the heating and cooling phases is considered using subroutines. Existing fire and post-fire test data of CFSST columns are used to validate the FE models. Comparisons between predicted and test results confirm that the accuracy of the FE models is acceptable; the FE models are then extended to simulate a typical CFSST column subjected to the entire loading and fire history. The behaviour of the CFSST column is explained by analysis of the temperature distribution, load versus axial deformation curves and failure response.

Second-order flexibility-based model for nonlinear inelastic analysis of composite steel-concrete frameworks with partial composite action and semi-rigid connections

This paper presents an efficient computer method for large deflection distributed plasticity analysis of 3D semi-rigid composite steel-concrete frameworks. A novel second-order inelastic flexibility-based element has been developed by combining the Maxwell-Mohr rule and the second-order force based functions for computation of the generalized displacements. The proposed model allows explicit and efficient modeling of the combined effects of nonlinear geometrical effects, gradual spread-of-plasticity, partial shear connection of composite beams, finite-size joints and joint flexibility by using only one 2-noded beam-column element per physical member. For composite beams, based on elasto-plastic cross-sectional analyses the model is able to take into account the effects of partial composite action between the concrete slab and the steel beam. At the cross-sectional level the proposed method addresses computational efficiency through the use of path integral approach to numerical integration of the cross-sectional nonlinear characteristics and residual stresses, enabling in this way the accurate geometrical specifications and precise modeling of cross-sections. The proposed nonlinear analysis formulation has been implemented in a general nonlinear static purpose computer program, NEFCAD. Several computational examples are given to validate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.

Strut-and-tie model for the support of steel beams crossing concrete beams

Steel and concrete construction can still be regarded as two distinct industrial sectors leading to separated design procedures. Even steel-concrete composite buildings remain designed as steel structures, with a limited benefit of the presence of concrete slabs. For some years however, a more integrated design between both materials is investigated. It tries to combine them in order to take advantage from their respective qualities : the high resistance of the steel on one hand and the low cost and good fire resistance of the concrete on the other hand, for example. One of the advantages of the concrete is also the easiness in the fabrication of joints, thanks to the monolithic nature of the concrete cast in place, whereas the metallic joints by bolting or welding ask for more technical work, and represent a non-negligible part of the cost of a structure. It is therefore rather natural, in a hybrid concrete-steel conception, to try to use this advantage of the concrete. In this context, this article presents a work that was made in the RFCS SMARTCOCO project. It focuses on the design of the support of a steel secondary beam crossing a primary beam in concrete, by simple direct contact. On the basis of an experimental campaign comprising five full-scale tests, the angle of diffusion of the forces and the distribution of the stresses in the stirrups are studied and a specific strut-and-tie model is developed. Specimens of this campaign consist of a simply supported concrete beam crossed in its middle by a steel profile, with or without stiffeners, loaded by two jacks, one at each end of the steel profile. First the experimental campaign is described. Then, internal stresses are compared with the predictions of a strut and tie model deduced from elastic stress trajectories. Finally, simplified design guidance is deduced.

Post-fire mechanical properties of high strength steels

High strength steels are becoming increasingly attractive for structural and architectural applications due to their superior strength-to-weight ratio which could lead to lighter and elegant structures. The stiffness and strength of high strength steels may reduce after exposure to fire. The post-fire mechanical properties of high strength steels have a crucial role in evaluating the residual strengths of these materials. This paper presents an experimental investigation on post-fire mechanical properties of cold-formed high strength steels. A series of tensile coupon tests has been carried out. The coupon specimens were extracted from cold-formed square hollow sections with nominal yield stresses of 700 and 900 MPa at ambient temperature. The specimens were exposed to various elevated temperatures ranged from 200 to 1000 °C and then cooled down to ambient temperature before tested to failure. Stress-strain curves were obtained and the mechanical properties, namely, Young’s modulus, yield stress (0.2% proof stress) and ultimate strength, of the cold-formed high strength steel materials after exposure to elevated temperatures were derived. The post-fire retention factors that obtained from the experimental investigation were compared with existing predictive equations in the literature. New predictive equations are proposed to determine the residual mechanical properties of high strength steels after exposure to fire. It is shown that the proposed predictive equations are suitable for both cold-formed and hot-rolled high strength steel materials with nominal yield stresses ranged from 690 to 960 MPa.

Numerical analysis of concrete-filled spiral welded stainless steel tubes subjected to compression

Spiral welded stainless tubes are produced by helical welding of a continuous strip of stainless steel. Recently, concrete-filled spiral welded stainless steel tubes have found increasing application in the construction industry due to their ease of fabrication and aesthetic appeal. However, an in-depth understanding of the behaviour of this type of structure is still needed due to the lack of proper design guidance and insufficient experimental verification. In this paper, the mechanical performance of concrete-filled spiral welded stainless steel tubes will be numerically investigated with a commercial finite element software package, through which an experimental program can be designed properly. Specifically, the proposed finite element models take into account the effects of material and geometric nonlinearities. Moreover, the initial imperfections of stainless steel tubes and the form of helical welding will be appropriately included. Enhancement of the understanding of the analysis results can be achieved by extending results through a series of parametric studies based on the developed finite element model. Thus, the effects of various design parameters will be further evaluated by using the developed finite element model. Furthermore, for the purposes of wide application of such types of structure, the accuracy of the behaviour prediction in terms of ultimate strength based on current design codes will be studied. The authors herein compared the load capacity between the finite element analysis results and the existing codes of practice.

Numerical Behaviour of Composite K-Joints Subjected to Combined Loading and Corrosive Environment

Concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) truss structures have been adopted in various infrastructures worldwide for past several decades. Application of CFST truss is more prevalent especially in areas where harsh marine condition with chloride corrosion limits the design life of structures. Design of joints is one of the most complicated issues in CFST truss structures; and it becomes more critical when corrosion causes section loss in the outer steel tube. Improved designs in terms of economy and durability need to be suggested based on rational research on composite K-joints in corrosive environment, whilst such research is very limited up until now. This paper thus attempts to study the behaviour of circular concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) K-joints under combined effect of long-term loading and corrosion. A finite element analysis (FEA) model is presented and verified against existing test results. The model is then utilized to perform mechanism analysis of CFST K-joints under varying loading and corrosion situations. Failure modes, detailed propagation of yield and stress distribution between the core concrete in chord and the tubular steel is investigated, based on which a favourable mode of failure is suggested in terms of maximum joint capacity. Finally, a full range analysis of the load-deformation characteristics is carried out for various corrosion situations, with the corresponding joint strength as well as ductility predicted.

Fatigue and crack propagation investigations on composite dowels using an inclined single push-out test

The current fatigue design of composite dowels is based on the structure stress concept for the steel part and upper load limitations to avoid concrete fatigue and a degradation of the composite joint. Therefore the aim of the existing concept is to avoid any fatigue of the composite structure. A fatigue concept considering residual load bearing capacity of torn steel connectors and the transfer of forces to less stressed composite dowels in the beam has great economic potential and leads to a better safety assessment. Therefore, further investigations of fatigue behaviour and crack propagation of composite dowels are necessary. In a first step a single composite dowel is investigated in small-part tests. By the use of finite element models a new inclined single push-out test stand has been developed in order to reproduce the force and stress distributions within a composite beam as precisely as possible with the small-part tests. This ensures the comparability of the crack initiation location and crack propagation. In the test series the influences of different stress ranges and cycle numbers on crack propagation of the steel dowel are investigated. Furthermore the residual load-bearing capacity is determined and compared to static load-bearing behaviour of uncracked steel parts of composite dowels. This paper concentrates on the numerical evaluation of crack propagation and residual capacity.

Experimental Comparison Study on Cyclic Behavior of Coupled Shear Walls with Two-Level-Yielding Steel Coupling Beam and RC Coupling Beam

Coupled shear walls are widely used in high rise buildings, since they can not only provide efficient lateral stiffness but also behave outstanding energy dissipation ability especially for earthquake-resistance. Traditionally, the coupling beams are made of reinforced concrete, which are prone to shear failure due to low aspect ratio and greatly reduce the efficiency and ability of energy dissipation. For overcoming the shortcoming of concrete reinforced coupling beams (RCB), an innovative steel coupling beams called two-level-yielding steel coupling beam (TYSCB) is invented to balance the demand of stiffness and energy dissipation for coupled shear walls. TYSCBs are made of two parallel steel beams with yielding at two different levels. To verify and investigate the aseismic behaviour improvement of TYSCB-coupled shear walls, two 1/3 scale, 10-storey coupled shear wall specimens with TYSCB and RCB were tested under both gravity and lateral displacement reversals. These two specimens were designed with the same bearing capacity, thus to be easier to compare. The experimental TYSCB specimen demonstrated more robust cyclic performance. Both specimens reached 1% lateral drift, however, the TYSCB-coupled shear wall showed minimal strength degradation. Additionally, a larger amount of energy was dissipated during each test of the TYSCB specimen, compared with the RCB specimen. Based on the experimental results, design recommendations are provided.

A novel one-sided push-out test for shear connectors in composite beams

Push-out tests (POTs) have been widely exploited as an alternative to the more expensive full-scale bending tests to characterize the behaviour of shear connections in steel-concrete composite beams. In these tests, two concrete slabs are typically attached to a steel section with the connectors under investigation, which are then subjected to direct shear. The results allow quantifying the relationship between applied load and displacements at the steel-concrete interface. Since this relationship is highly influenced by the boundary conditions of POT samples, different experimental setups have been used, where the slabs are either restricted or free to slide horizontally, as researchers have tried to reduce any discrepancy between POT and full-scale composite beam testing. Based on a critical review of various POT configurations presented in the dedicated literature, this paper presents an efficient one-sided POT (OSPOT) method. While OSPOT and POT specimens are similar, in the proposed OPSPOT setup only one of the two slabs is directly loaded in each test, and the slab is free to move vertically. Thus, two results can be obtained from one specimen, i.e. one from each slab. A series of POTs and OSPOTs have been conducted to investigate the behaviour and the shear resistance of headed stud connectors through the two methods of testing. The results of this study than were compared with those of different POTs setups conducted by other researchers. The new OSPOT results show in general an excellent agreement with the analytical predictions offered by both British and European standards, as well as the estimated shear resistance proposed other researchers in the literature. These findings suggest that the proposed one-sided setup could be used as an efficient and economical option for conducting the POT, as it has the potential not only to double the number of results, but also to simplify the fabrication of the samples, which is important in any large experimental campaign, and to allow testing with limited capacity of the actuator.