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In this thesis six different models of IPE240 have been created in order to study their behavior undershear, bending and torsion. These models simulate IPE240 but differ in the boundary conditions, inthe loading and the length of the beam and in some connections which connect certain elements. Inthis study the modeling and simulation of the steel member is executed in ABAQUS Finite ElementAnalysis software with the creation of input files. When developing a model for the finite elementanalysis a typical analysis process is followed. All the parameters that are required to perform theanalysis are defined initially to geometry which is half the beam due to symmetry, and the materialproperties of each model are defined too. Then a mesh is generated for each model, the loads of eachmodel are applied which are expressed as initial displacement. Subsequently, the boundary conditionsfor each model are defined and finally the model is submitted to the solver when the kind of analysishas been defined. Namely, the analysis which is performed in this thesis is static stress analysis.When the ABAQUS has run the models, the contour plots for the von Mises stresses for each modelare studied. In these contour plots, a large concentration of stresses and problems which arise in eachone of the models are notified. As it has been observed in all models, the beam yields at the flangesof the mid-span and collapses at the mid-span. Therefore, the failure at the mid-span is more criticalthan the failure at the support. Moreover, the beams are weak in bending due to the fact that theytwist almost 60-90 degrees under a large initial displacement at the control node. Additionally, much localized failure and buckling occurred at the mid-span, and local concentrated stresses also occurredat the bottom flange at the support due to the boundary conditions details.Thereafter, a verification of the results of the ABAQUS through the simple analytical handcalculations is performed. It is concluded that the error appearing in most selected points is small.However, in some points in the web of the mid-span the error is greater. Additionally, whilecomparing the load-displacement curves of the two different plastic behaviors, it is observed that themodel with an elastic-plastic with a yielding plateau slope behavior has smaller maximum loadresistance than the model with a true stress-strain curve with strain hardening behavior.Finally, some errors and warning messages have occurred during the creation of the input files of themodels and a way of solving them is suggested.

Global awareness and preservation have spurred increasing interest in utilizing environmentally friendly materials for high-performance structural applications. Biocomposites pose an appealing solution to this issue and are characterized by their sustainable lifecycles, biodegradable qualities, light weight, remarkable strength, and exceptional stiffness. Many of these structural qualities are found in applications that exhibit flexural loading conditions, and this study focuses on improving the bending performance of engineered biocomposite structures. The current application of biocomposites is increasing rapidly, so this expanding research explores other natural constituent materials for biocomposite structures under flexural loading. The renewable material investigated in this study was experimentally and numerically validated by optimizing the mechanical characteristics of bamboo fibers in biocomposite structures under flexural loading conditions through various thermal and organic chemical treatment methods. Therefore, bending performance of a biocomposite truss and I-beam are analyzed to demonstrate the benefits of utilizing optimally treated bamboos in their design. To accomplish this goal, the first task consisted of treating bamboos by thermal and chemical means to determine the resulting effects on the compressive and tensile mechanical properties through experimental testing. Results indicated a significant improvement in strength, stiffness, and weight reduction. An extensive analysis determined the optimal treatment method that was utilized for flexural loading conditions. The second task entailed studying the flexural behavior of the optimally treated bamboo in two geometric configurations, a hollow cylinder and veneer strip, to determine the resultant properties for the truss and I-beam structure. The effect of node location on flexural performance was also studied to establish design guidelines for the applied structures. Bending tests indicated that node location affects the strength and stiffness of the hollow cylindrical configuration but has minimal effects on the veneer strip. Observations discovered by this study were employed into the designs of the applied structures that yielded excellent mechanical performance through flexural testing. The final task required conducting a finite element analysis in Abaqus/CAE on the performance of each structural application to validate experimental results. A conclusive analysis revealed good agreement between the numerical method and experimental result.

When a concentrated load is introduced perpendicular to the flanges of a steel beam, this condition is referred to as Patch loading (Gozzi, 2007). This occurrence is common in many steel structures, for example at supports or during launching of bridges. Because of the usual slenderness of I-beams and other plated structures, these are sometimes reinforced with stiffeners in order to avoid buckling. Modifications, such as adding stiffeners to a beam, are done to make greater plastic deformations possible before buckling can occur; thereby increasing the resistance against failure. Transverse stiffeners are added in areas where the beam is exposed to concentrated loads (Lagerqvist, 1994). The descriptions of calculating patch loading in the Eurocode are presented for cases of double stiffeners, with the load applied in between two stiffeners with same distance to each of them, or when there is one single stiffener that is acting in line with the load. In the Eurocode there are also descriptions on how to calculate on the resistance against patch loading when there are no stiffeners added. However, the Eurocode lacks descriptions for cases when the stiffeners are misaligned. The purpose of this paper is the evaluation of the impact from transverse stiffeners to the resistance of welded I-beams, when the stiffeners are misaligned and where the length of the beam varies. Because of the complexity of such of problems it is almost impossible to find theoretical solutions (Lagerqvist & Johansson, 1996). Therefore, in this study as well as in almost all studies that aim to predict the ultimate resistances of steel beams subjected to patch loading, the results are gained empirically. The tests herein were done by FE-modeling and the results from the physical experiments done in Lagerkvist’s doctoral thesis were used for validation of the model, as conducting experiments ourselves was not economically possible. 6 The study was made in two steps. In the first step FE-models were produced under the same circumstances as the results obtained by Lagerqvist (1994). Those analyses were not part of the aim of the study; the intention for making the initial analyses was to strengthen the reliability of the results. From there, the final analyses were made with the aim in investigating the influence of stiffeners on the resistance, when these are misaligned. In this step, observations were also made with regards to the impact of the bending moment of the beam on its resistance. The initial analyses, which were made for validation of the modeling, had a satisfying correspondence to the physical experiments; hence the final analyses are assumed valid of acceptance. From observations of the results in the final analyses it is noticed that adding stiffeners is a highly preferred way of increasing the resistance for slender beams. For full utilization it is however important to have the stiffeners optimally placed, because a small deviation from this position gives an unwanted decrease in resistance.

The subject of this master's thesis is a static and structural design of a Load-carrying steel structure of railway bridge with bottom steel deck of the span of 42 + 60 + 42 m over the Labe river in Děčín. A solid steel beam forms the main load-bearing structure of the bridge reinforced with truss-work. The truss-work is made up of an open top chord and diagonal strut without secondary vertical struts. The calculations were done in compliance with valid ČSN EN documents.

Conventional construction of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements (JPCP) in Canada consists of placing a round steel epoxy-coated dowel at the mid height of the pavement. Steel dowels reduce stepping at the joint to improve comfort and reduce the stress concentration on the support layer beneath the pavement. Most importantly they transfer load and are commonly referred to as load transfer devices. Problems with dowel bar deterioration, including corrosion causes the slab joint to lock and cause stress concentrations as the slab expands and or contracts and curls due to thermal and shrinkage straining occurring in the concrete. In this research, alternative joint load transfer devices are presented and compared to conventional steel dowels. Four device alternatives are developed and evaluated: a Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) I-beam placed directly on the base material; GFRP tapered plates; a continuous horizontal V device; and a continuous horizontal pipe device both placed directly on the support layer. The two devices that are continuous run the length of the joint similar to a shear key. The GFRP tapered plate and I-beam, as well as conventional steel dowels, were analyzed in a wheel path sized three dimensional finite element model for wheel loading and static loading applied to either side of the joint. An experimental testing program was developed to test joint load transfer capabilities of each device when subjected to a static wheel load applied to either side of the joint. The GFRP tapered plates and I-beams were shown to transfer load based on the results from the wheel path finite element model and experimental testing program. The differential joint deflection, stress concentrations and plastic straining occurring in the concrete is not reduced with either the tapered plate or I-beam compared to a dowel under wheel loading. In addition, a similar plastic straining area identified in the finite element models were noticed as an area of damage in the experimental testing program. All of the devices developed are analyzed in a quarter slab three dimensional finite element model with shrinkage and thermal strains as well as wheel loading applied to the slab to simulate service loading. A detailed investigation into the stress distribution around the devices and the differential deflection at the joint through the service loading applied is presented in this paper. Similarly to the wheel path investigation the stress concentration in the tapered plate and I-beams are greater than conventional dowels and also have greater differential deflection occurring at the joint. Both the continuous Horizontal V and Horizontal Pipe device reduce stress and plastic straining in the concrete during the service load analysis compared to dowels. During daytime wheel loading the differential deflection in the joint is the lowest with no noticeable stepping occurring at the joint with the Horizontal V device; however is greater than conventional steel dowels under nighttime wheel load application. The differential deflection with the Horizontal Pipe during day and night straining and wheel loading is similar to conventional steel dowels.

Conventional construction of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements (JPCP) in Canada consists of placing a round steel epoxy-coated dowel at the mid height of the pavement. Steel dowels reduce stepping at the joint to improve comfort and reduce the stress concentration on the support layer beneath the pavement. Most importantly they transfer load and are commonly referred to as load transfer devices. Problems with dowel bar deterioration, including corrosion causes the slab joint to lock and cause stress concentrations as the slab expands and or contracts and curls due to thermal and shrinkage straining occurring in the concrete. In this research, alternative joint load transfer devices are presented and compared to conventional steel dowels. Four device alternatives are developed and evaluated: a Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) I-beam placed directly on the base material; GFRP tapered plates; a continuous horizontal V device; and a continuous horizontal pipe device both placed directly on the support layer. The two devices that are continuous run the length of the joint similar to a shear key. The GFRP tapered plate and I-beam, as well as conventional steel dowels, were analyzed in a wheel path sized three dimensional finite element model for wheel loading and static loading applied to either side of the joint. An experimental testing program was developed to test joint load transfer capabilities of each device when subjected to a static wheel load applied to either side of the joint. The GFRP tapered plates and I-beams were shown to transfer load based on the results from the wheel path finite element model and experimental testing program. The differential joint deflection, stress concentrations and plastic straining occurring in the concrete is not reduced with either the tapered plate or I-beam compared to a dowel under wheel loading. In addition, a similar plastic straining area identified in the finite element models were noticed as an area of damage in the experimental testing program. All of the devices developed are analyzed in a quarter slab three dimensional finite element model with shrinkage and thermal strains as well as wheel loading applied to the slab to simulate service loading. A detailed investigation into the stress distribution around the devices and the differential deflection at the joint through the service loading applied is presented in this paper. Similarly to the wheel path investigation the stress concentration in the tapered plate and I-beams are greater than conventional dowels and also have greater differential deflection occurring at the joint. Both the continuous Horizontal V and Horizontal Pipe device reduce stress and plastic straining in the concrete during the service load analysis compared to dowels. During daytime wheel loading the differential deflection in the joint is the lowest with no noticeable stepping occurring at the joint with the Horizontal V device; however is greater than conventional steel dowels under nighttime wheel load application. The differential deflection with the Horizontal Pipe during day and night straining and wheel loading is similar to conventional steel dowels.