This study consists of three self-standing parts, each dealing with a different aspect of design of composite steel-concrete flexural members. The first part deals with a new type of shear connection in composite joists. Composite steel-concrete flexural members have increasingly become popular in design and construction of floor systems, structural frames, and bridges. A particularly popular system features composite trusses (joists) that can span large lengths and provide empty web space for installation of typical utility conduits. One of the prominent problems with respect to composite joists has been the installation of welded shear connection due to demanding welding requirements and the need for significant welding equipment at the job site. This part of the study presents a new type of shear connection developed at Virginia Tech— standoff screws. Results of experimental and analytical research are presented, as well as the development of a recommended design methodology. The second part deals with reliability of composite beams. Constant research advances in the field of composite steel-concrete beam design have resulted in numerous enhancements and changes to the American design practice, embodied in the composite construction provisions of the AISC Specification (AISC 1999). Results of a comprehensive reliability study of composite beams are presented. The study considers specification changes since the original reliability study by Galambos et al. (1976), considers a larger database of experimental data, and analyses recent proposals for changes in design of shear connection. Comparison of three different design methods is presented based on a study of 15,064 composite beam cases. A method to consider effect of degree of shear connection on strength reduction factor is proposed. Finally, while basic analysis theories between the two are similar, requirements for determining the strength of composite beams in Eurocode 4 (CEN 1992) and 1999 AISC Specification (AISC 1999) differ in many respects. This is particularly true when considering the design of shear connections. This part of the dissertation explores those differences through a comparative step-by-step discussion of major design aspects, and accompanying numerical example. Several shortcomings of 1999 AISC Specification are identified and adjustments proposed. / Ph. D.

The Route 601 Bridge spans 39 ft over Dickey Creek in Sugar Grove, VA and represents the first use of Strongwell's 36 in. double web beam (DWB) as the main load carrying members for a traffic bridge. The bridge was designed for AASHTO HS20-44 and AASHTO alternate military loading with a targeted deflection limit of L/800. For the preliminary design, conservative properties for the 36 in. DWB were assumed based on experience at Virginia Tech with Strongwell's 8 in. DWB used in the Tom's Creek Bridge. An elastic modulus (E) of 6,000 ksi and a shear stiffness (kGA) of 20,000 ksi-in2 were assumed and used with Timoshenko shear deformable beam theory to characterize the beams and determine the deflections. This thesis details the experimental work conducted in conjunction with the design of the Route 601 Bridge, which had two goals. First, a deck-to-girder connection was tested to determine if a bolted connection could develop composite action between the girder and the deck. This connection was shown to provide a significant amount of composite action when used with the 8 in. DWB and a composite deck, but little or no composite action when used with the 36 in. DWB and a glue-laminated timber deck. Second, eleven 36 in. DWB's were tested to determine their stiffness properties (EI and kGA) to insure that these properties were above the values assumed in the preliminary design, and all the beams had stiffness properties that were close to or above the assumed values. The eleven beams were also proof tested to a moment equivalent to five times the service load moment to insure the safety of the Route 601 Bridge, and one beam was tested to failure to determine the failure mode and residual stiffness of the 36 in. DWB. Finally, based on these results eight beams were chosen for the Route 601 Bridge. / Master of Science

No / In composite beam design, headed stud shear connectors are commonly used to transfer longitudinal shear forces across the steel¿concrete interface. Present knowledge of the load¿slip behavior and the shear capacity of the shear stud in composite beam are limited to data obtained from the experimental push-off tests. For this purpose, an effective numerical model using the finite element method to simulate the push-off test was proposed. The model has been validated against test results and compared with data given in the current Code of Practices, i.e., BS5950, EC4, and AISC. Parametric studies using this model were preformed to investigate variations in concrete strength and shear stud diameter. The finite element model provided a better understanding to the different modes of failure observed during experimental testing and hence shear capacity of headed shear studs in solid concrete slabs

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise comparativa de diferentes sistemas estruturais para um edifício de 20 pavimentos. Cada um dos modelos foi dimensionado através dos princípios do método da análise direta, presente na ABNT NBR 8800:2008. O método da amplificação dos esforços solicitantes (MAES) foi usado para se obter de forma simplificada os esforços atuantes nos elementos do edifício considerando os efeitos locais e globais de segunda ordem. A incidência do vento foi simulada de duas formas diferentes. Na primeira, chamada de uniforme, o vento foi aplicado sem excentricidade, gerando apenas o efeito de tombamento nas estruturas. Na segunda hipótese, considerou-se uma excentricidade devida aos efeitos de vizinhança, prescrita pela ABNT NBR 6123:1988, responsável por ocasionar o tombamento e a torção dos edifícios. Todas as análises numéricas foram repetidas fazendo o uso de outro método simplificado de segunda ordem, conhecido como P-Delta. Por meio dos resultados obtidos, constatou-se que a possibilidade de se reduzir a sobrecarga para o dimensionamento de pilares proporciona uma economia de material, mas, por outro lado, tem como consequência o aumento do tempo de análise, pois exige a utilização de diferentes combinações de cálculo para o dimensionamento de vigas e pilares. A estratégia utilizada para simular os efeitos de vizinhança mostrou-se satisfatória, pois permitiu introduzir de maneira fácil e prática a torção ocasionada pela incidência excêntrica do vento. Observou-se também que esses efeitos ocasionaram o aumento dos momentos fletores e dos deslocamentos das estruturas analisadas. Em relação à avaliação dos efeitos de segunda ordem, comprovou-se que, para a classificação da deslocabilidade, a combinação de cálculo crítica é aquela que possui o maior carregamento gravitacional. Entretanto, para o dimensionamento dos elementos, foi constatado que outras hipóteses de cálculo, principalmente aquelas em que o vento é a ação variável principal, podem ser determinantes. Por fim, foi observado que os resultados obtidos pelo método P-Delta ficaram bastante semelhantes àqueles calculados pelo MAES, com desvios desprezíveis. O MAES, por sua vez, mostrou-se bastante trabalhoso, pois exige a modelagem de diferentes tipos de estruturas para a determinação dos esforços. / This work presents a comparative analysis of different structural systems for a 20-storey building. Each model has been designed using the principles of the direct analysis method (DAM), present in the ABNT NBR 8800:2008. The first-order amplification method (FOAM) was used to obtain, in a simplified manner, the forces acting on the building elements, including local and global second-order effects. The incidence of the wind was simulated in two different ways. In the first case, named uniform, the wind was applied without eccentricity, generating only structure overturning. In the second case, it was considered an eccentricity due to vicinity effects, prescribed by the ABNT NBR 6123:1988, responsible for causing twisting and building overturning. All numerical analysis were carried out a simplified second-order method known as P-Delta. From the results obtained it was found that the reduction of live loads in the design of columns provides material economy, but on the other hand, increases analysis time, since it requires different combinations for beams and columns. The strategy used to simulate the vicinity effects was satisfactory, because it allowed, in an easy and practical way, the consideration of the torsion produced by the wind eccentric impact. It was also observed that these effects increased the bending moments and the displacements of the structures. About the second-order effects, it was shown that, for sway or non-sway classification, the critical combination is one with greatest gravitational loading. However, for the design of the elements, it was observed that other loading conditions can be critical, especially those in which the wind is the main live load. Finally, the results obtained by the P-Delta method were very similar to those calculated by the first-order amplification method. The FOAM was, in turn, very laborious, because it requires the modeling of different types of structures for the determination of the forces.

No mercado mundial existe uma visível tendência de tornar as obras mais industrializadas e racionalizadas com o objetivo de reduzir os desperdícios, acelerar a velocidade de execução das obras e garantir maior qualidade às mesmas. A adoção de elementos estruturais com certo grau de industrialização pode trazer benefícios em relação aos custos, à mão de obra, ao tempo de execução e ao impacto ambiental. Neste contexto, as estruturas mistas de aço e concreto satisfazem essa necessidade, pois tanto os elementos de aço quanto os elementos de concreto podem ser pré-fabricados, ficando apenas as etapas de içamento e montagem a serem realizadas na obra, reduzindo o uso de fôrmas e escoramentos. Os pisos mistos de aço e concreto de pequena altura caracterizam-se pelo embutimento da laje de concreto na altura do perfil de aço, sendo a principal vantagem, em relação ao piso misto convencional, a redução da altura total do composto. Portanto, este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o comportamento de pisos mistos de aço e concreto de pequena altura com laje alveolar em concreto protendido por meio de ensaios de cisalhamento direto (push-out test) e de flexão. Na solução proposta, a transferência de esforços entre o perfil de aço e a laje alveolar foi feita por meio de conectores tipo pino com cabeça e concreto moldado no local. Os resultados demonstraram-se promissores em termos de comportamento do piso misto de pequena altura, aumentando significativamente a rigidez do sistema em relação à viga de aço isolada. Em complemento, foi desenvolvida uma simulação numérica dos modelos físicos ensaiados utilizando o pacote computacional DIANA®, fundamentado no método dos elementos finitos, na qual o modelo numérico representou adequadamente o comportamento dos pisos mistos de pequena altura, permitindo análises paramétricas. / On the world market, there is a visible tendency to turn buildings construction more industrialized and rationalized in order to reduce waste, accelerate the construction speed and ensure higher quality to them. The adoption of structural elements with a degree of industrialization can bring benefits regarding costs, labor, construction time and environmental impact. In this context, steel and concrete composite structures satisfy this need, since steel and concrete elements can be prefabricated, with only lifting and mounting steps to be performed on site, reducing use of formwork and shoring. A type of slim floor system consists in precast concrete hollow core slabs supported on the lower flange of steel beams. The major advantage of this solution, compared to conventional composite beam, is reducing the overall height of the floor. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the behavior of slim floor with prestressed concrete hollow core slabs through push-out and bending tests. In the proposed solution, the transfer of forces between steel beam and hollow core slabs was made by stud bolts and cast on site concrete. The obtained results proved to be promising in terms of slim floor behavior, significantly increasing the system stiffness regarding the isolated steel beam. In addition, a numerical modeling of the studied slim floor system was developed, using finite element based software DIANA®, in which the numerical model adequately represented the behavior of the composite beam, allowing parametric analysis.

Helicopter rotor system operates in a highly dynamic and unsteady aerodynamic environment leading to severe vibratory loads on the rotor system. Repeated exposure to these severe loading conditions can induce damage in the composite rotor blade which may lead to a catastrophic failure. Therefore, an interest in the structural health monitoring (SHM) of the composite rotor blades has grown markedly in recent years. Two important issues are addressed in this thesis; (1) structural modeling and aeroelastic analysis of the damaged rotor blade and (2) development of a model based rotor health monitoring system. The effect of matrix cracking, the first failure mode in composites, is studied in detail for a circular section beam, box-beam and two-cell airfoil section beam. Later, the effects of further progressive damages such as debonding/delamination and fiber breakage are considered for a two-cell airfoil section beam representing a stiff-inplane helicopter rotor blade. It is found that the stiffness decreases rapidly in the initial phase of matrix cracking but becomes almost constant later as matrix crack saturation is reached. Due to matrix cracking, the bending and torsion stiffness losses at the point of matrix crack saturation are about 6-12 percent and about 25-30 percent, respectively. Due to debonding/delamination, the bending and torsion stiffness losses are about 6-8 percent and about 40-45 percent after matrix crack saturation, respectively. The stiffness loss due to fiber breakage is very rapid and leads to the final failure of the blade. An aeroelastic analysis is performed for the damaged composite rotor in forward flight and the numerically simulated results are used to develop an online health monitoring system. For fault detection, the variations in rotating frequencies, tip bending and torsion response, blade root loads and strains along the blade due to damage are investigated. It is found that peak-to-peak values of blade response and loads provide a good global damage indicator and result in considerable data reduction. Also, the shear strain is a useful indicator to predict local damage. The structural health monitoring system is developed using the physics based models to detect and locate damage from simulated noisy rotor system data. A genetic fuzzy system (GFS) developed for solving the inverse problem of detecting damage from noise contaminated measurements by hybridizing the best features of fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms. Using the changes in structural measurements between the damaged and undamaged blade, a fuzzy system is generated and the rule-base and membership functions optimized by genetic algorithm. The GFS is demonstrated using frequency and mode shape based measurements for various beam type structures such as uniform cantilever beam, tapered beam and non-rotating helicopter blade. The GFS is further demonstrated for predicting the internal state of the composite structures using an example of a composite hollow circular beam with matrix cracking damage mode. Finally, the GFS is applied for online SHM of a rotor in forward flight. It is found that the GFS shows excellent robustness with noisy data, missing measurements and degrades gradually in the presence of faulty sensors/measurements. Furthermore, the GFS can be developed in an automated manner resulting in an optimal solution to the inverse problem of SHM. Finally, the stiffness degradation of the composite rotor blade is correlated to the life consumption of the rotor blade and issues related to damage prognosis are addressed.

This study aims to investigate the behaviour of low-order beam and plate elements especially for their application to laminated structures. The merits and dements of the existing elements are brought out and new low-order elements with better interpolation polynomials are proposed. Two new beam elements are proposed for laminated composite beams that yield better representation of twist due to material coupling. Out of the two elements developed, one is based on the conventional formulation and the other on the coupled-field formulation, both capturing material induced coupling. The beam developed using coupled field formulation shows a novel way of obtaining a fully coupled interpolation function for field variables using the complete set of equilibrium equations for the composite beams. The element has shown a superior coarse mesh performance. These elements can practically capture plate behaviour in beam elements for a wide range of plate thickness. The locking problems in conventional 4-node quadrilateral elements, such as shear locking and geometric locking are studied. Various techniques available in literature to remedy these problems are also studied. A suite of QUAD4 with conventional techniques such as. Reduced Integration, Field Consistency, Mixed Interpolation of Tensorial strain Components, Assumed Natural Strain, Discrete Shear Gap, Incompatible modes Q6 and QM6 is developed. An effort is made to combine these techniques to develop new element that yields improved performance. The element is shown to exhibit improved performance for certain cases. Several four-node rectangular elements are developed based on the coupled-field techniques. First two new-coupled elements are formulated that employ Sabir's [101] plane bending formulation with drilling degree of freedom, and the plate bending rotations are generated using equilibrium equations. However, since Sabir's plane bending interpolation polynomials yielded inaccurate performance for composites, it led to development of elements with fully coupled field formulations. Finally, two new 4-node rectangular elements are developed using coupled-field formulations with six and seven dof freedom per node respectively. Here the interpolation polynomials are derived using the complete equilibrium equations. The elements are extensively tested for static deflection, dynamics and buckling of isotropic and laminated plates/beams. The elements show superior coarse mesh convergence. Several problems pertaining to vibration and buckling of composite plates/beams are solved using the elements developed in this work.

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise comparativa de diferentes sistemas estruturais para um edifício de 20 pavimentos. Cada um dos modelos foi dimensionado através dos princípios do método da análise direta, presente na ABNT NBR 8800:2008. O método da amplificação dos esforços solicitantes (MAES) foi usado para se obter de forma simplificada os esforços atuantes nos elementos do edifício considerando os efeitos locais e globais de segunda ordem. A incidência do vento foi simulada de duas formas diferentes. Na primeira, chamada de uniforme, o vento foi aplicado sem excentricidade, gerando apenas o efeito de tombamento nas estruturas. Na segunda hipótese, considerou-se uma excentricidade devida aos efeitos de vizinhança, prescrita pela ABNT NBR 6123:1988, responsável por ocasionar o tombamento e a torção dos edifícios. Todas as análises numéricas foram repetidas fazendo o uso de outro método simplificado de segunda ordem, conhecido como P-Delta. Por meio dos resultados obtidos, constatou-se que a possibilidade de se reduzir a sobrecarga para o dimensionamento de pilares proporciona uma economia de material, mas, por outro lado, tem como consequência o aumento do tempo de análise, pois exige a utilização de diferentes combinações de cálculo para o dimensionamento de vigas e pilares. A estratégia utilizada para simular os efeitos de vizinhança mostrou-se satisfatória, pois permitiu introduzir de maneira fácil e prática a torção ocasionada pela incidência excêntrica do vento. Observou-se também que esses efeitos ocasionaram o aumento dos momentos fletores e dos deslocamentos das estruturas analisadas. Em relação à avaliação dos efeitos de segunda ordem, comprovou-se que, para a classificação da deslocabilidade, a combinação de cálculo crítica é aquela que possui o maior carregamento gravitacional. Entretanto, para o dimensionamento dos elementos, foi constatado que outras hipóteses de cálculo, principalmente aquelas em que o vento é a ação variável principal, podem ser determinantes. Por fim, foi observado que os resultados obtidos pelo método P-Delta ficaram bastante semelhantes àqueles calculados pelo MAES, com desvios desprezíveis. O MAES, por sua vez, mostrou-se bastante trabalhoso, pois exige a modelagem de diferentes tipos de estruturas para a determinação dos esforços. / This work presents a comparative analysis of different structural systems for a 20-storey building. Each model has been designed using the principles of the direct analysis method (DAM), present in the ABNT NBR 8800:2008. The first-order amplification method (FOAM) was used to obtain, in a simplified manner, the forces acting on the building elements, including local and global second-order effects. The incidence of the wind was simulated in two different ways. In the first case, named uniform, the wind was applied without eccentricity, generating only structure overturning. In the second case, it was considered an eccentricity due to vicinity effects, prescribed by the ABNT NBR 6123:1988, responsible for causing twisting and building overturning. All numerical analysis were carried out a simplified second-order method known as P-Delta. From the results obtained it was found that the reduction of live loads in the design of columns provides material economy, but on the other hand, increases analysis time, since it requires different combinations for beams and columns. The strategy used to simulate the vicinity effects was satisfactory, because it allowed, in an easy and practical way, the consideration of the torsion produced by the wind eccentric impact. It was also observed that these effects increased the bending moments and the displacements of the structures. About the second-order effects, it was shown that, for sway or non-sway classification, the critical combination is one with greatest gravitational loading. However, for the design of the elements, it was observed that other loading conditions can be critical, especially those in which the wind is the main live load. Finally, the results obtained by the P-Delta method were very similar to those calculated by the first-order amplification method. The FOAM was, in turn, very laborious, because it requires the modeling of different types of structures for the determination of the forces.

No mercado mundial existe uma visível tendência de tornar as obras mais industrializadas e racionalizadas com o objetivo de reduzir os desperdícios, acelerar a velocidade de execução das obras e garantir maior qualidade às mesmas. A adoção de elementos estruturais com certo grau de industrialização pode trazer benefícios em relação aos custos, à mão de obra, ao tempo de execução e ao impacto ambiental. Neste contexto, as estruturas mistas de aço e concreto satisfazem essa necessidade, pois tanto os elementos de aço quanto os elementos de concreto podem ser pré-fabricados, ficando apenas as etapas de içamento e montagem a serem realizadas na obra, reduzindo o uso de fôrmas e escoramentos. Os pisos mistos de aço e concreto de pequena altura caracterizam-se pelo embutimento da laje de concreto na altura do perfil de aço, sendo a principal vantagem, em relação ao piso misto convencional, a redução da altura total do composto. Portanto, este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o comportamento de pisos mistos de aço e concreto de pequena altura com laje alveolar em concreto protendido por meio de ensaios de cisalhamento direto (push-out test) e de flexão. Na solução proposta, a transferência de esforços entre o perfil de aço e a laje alveolar foi feita por meio de conectores tipo pino com cabeça e concreto moldado no local. Os resultados demonstraram-se promissores em termos de comportamento do piso misto de pequena altura, aumentando significativamente a rigidez do sistema em relação à viga de aço isolada. Em complemento, foi desenvolvida uma simulação numérica dos modelos físicos ensaiados utilizando o pacote computacional DIANA®, fundamentado no método dos elementos finitos, na qual o modelo numérico representou adequadamente o comportamento dos pisos mistos de pequena altura, permitindo análises paramétricas. / On the world market, there is a visible tendency to turn buildings construction more industrialized and rationalized in order to reduce waste, accelerate the construction speed and ensure higher quality to them. The adoption of structural elements with a degree of industrialization can bring benefits regarding costs, labor, construction time and environmental impact. In this context, steel and concrete composite structures satisfy this need, since steel and concrete elements can be prefabricated, with only lifting and mounting steps to be performed on site, reducing use of formwork and shoring. A type of slim floor system consists in precast concrete hollow core slabs supported on the lower flange of steel beams. The major advantage of this solution, compared to conventional composite beam, is reducing the overall height of the floor. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the behavior of slim floor with prestressed concrete hollow core slabs through push-out and bending tests. In the proposed solution, the transfer of forces between steel beam and hollow core slabs was made by stud bolts and cast on site concrete. The obtained results proved to be promising in terms of slim floor behavior, significantly increasing the system stiffness regarding the isolated steel beam. In addition, a numerical modeling of the studied slim floor system was developed, using finite element based software DIANA®, in which the numerical model adequately represented the behavior of the composite beam, allowing parametric analysis.

No description available.