Abstract
Structural parts commonly comprised of composite members such as bridge approaches, inclined parking
ramps and stadium beams, can be subjected to a combination of high axial loads and bending moments. Steel–
concrete composite construction is a popular solution for these types of structures due to the numerous
advantages that they offer. Although, current design codes (e.g. Eurocode 4, American code AISC, Australian
codes AS2327 and AS5100) provide rules for the design of composite columns subjected to flexure and axial
load, however the design of composite beams, which are asymmetric in nature under the combined effects of
tension and bending, is not yet fully addressed. This paper investigates the ultimate strength of composite
beams under the combined effects of axial tension and negative (hogging) bending moment. An experimental
programme carried out in the laboratory of the University of Western Sydney comprised of a total of six
specimens representing composite beams and subjected to various levels of axial tension and bending
moment. Ultimate failure modes were identified and the resulting interaction diagrams were compared to the
results of sectional rigid plastic analysis. Following the tests, three-dimensional finite element models were
employed using the ABAQUS finite element software to further investigate the nonlinear behaviour of the
composite beams and extend the experimental observations by studying the effects of parameters such as the
span length and the effect of partial shear connection. Finally, simple design rules and formulae are proposed
for use in engineering practice.
ramps and stadium beams, can be subjected to a combination of high axial loads and bending moments. Steel–
concrete composite construction is a popular solution for these types of structures due to the numerous
advantages that they offer. Although, current design codes (e.g. Eurocode 4, American code AISC, Australian
codes AS2327 and AS5100) provide rules for the design of composite columns subjected to flexure and axial
load, however the design of composite beams, which are asymmetric in nature under the combined effects of
tension and bending, is not yet fully addressed. This paper investigates the ultimate strength of composite
beams under the combined effects of axial tension and negative (hogging) bending moment. An experimental
programme carried out in the laboratory of the University of Western Sydney comprised of a total of six
specimens representing composite beams and subjected to various levels of axial tension and bending
moment. Ultimate failure modes were identified and the resulting interaction diagrams were compared to the
results of sectional rigid plastic analysis. Following the tests, three-dimensional finite element models were
employed using the ABAQUS finite element software to further investigate the nonlinear behaviour of the
composite beams and extend the experimental observations by studying the effects of parameters such as the
span length and the effect of partial shear connection. Finally, simple design rules and formulae are proposed
for use in engineering practice.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 20-33 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Journal of Constructional Steel Research |
| Volume | 68 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Keywords
- Composite beams
- Negative bending
- Finite element analysis
- axial tension
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Civil and Structural Engineering