No abstract is provided. / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr) / Scope and contents: In this report, a method for calculating the longitudinal shear capacity of the slab of simply-supported steel-concrete composite beams is presented. The method is based on analysing the stresses at failure of the concrete elements located at the slab shear surface. In this analysis, the slab width and the shear span are found to be two main parameters that have been neglected in the empirical solutions previously adopted.

Yes / In order to promote the utilization of high strength materials and application of prefabricated structures, flexural behaviour of section steel-precast UHPC (Ultra-High performance concrete) slab composite beams prefabricated with bolt shear connectors are numerically simulated by the finite element (FE) software ABAQUS. The model is verified by three prefabricated steel-concrete composite beams tested. Numerical analysis results are in good accordance with experimental results. Furthermore, parametric studies are conducted to investigate the effects of strength of section steel and concrete of precast slab, thickness of section steel, width and height of precast concrete slab, diameters of steel bars and bolt shear connectors. The flexural behaviour of composite beams, in terms of bearing capacity, deflection, ductility and energy dissipation, are compared. The numerical results indicate that the improvement of strength of section steel results in a decrease of ductility, but a significant increase of the ultimate load and energy dissipation. Compared with composite beam made of section steel with thickness of 10 mm, the ultimate load of beams made of section steel with thickness of 14 and 18 mm improve by 29.0% and 58.8%, respectively, the ductility enhance by 2.8% and 8.3%, respectively, and the energy dissipation improve by 8.0% and 12.3%, respectively. With the increase of concrete strength, the ultimate load, deflection and energy dissipation gradually increase. The ductility of steel-UHPC composite beam is the highest, that of steel-HSC composite beam is the lowest. The effect of reinforcement ratio of concrete slab and diameter of shear bolts on the ultimate load of composite beam is limited. Simplified formulae for two different sectional types of proper-reinforced section steel-precast UHPC slab composite beams occurred bending failure are proposed, and the predicted results fit well with the simulated results. The results can be taken as a reference for the design and construction of section steel-precast UHPC slab composite beams.

Yes / Finite element (FE) analysis of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforced concrete beams cast in U-shaped ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) permanent formworks is presented in this paper. Concrete damage plasticity (CDP) and FRP brittle damage models were used to simulate the damage behavior of concrete and FRP bars. The results of FE simulation are in good agreement with the experimental results. Furthermore, parametric studies were conducted to investigate the effect of concrete and UHPC strengths, yield strength of steel bars, elastic modulus of FRP bars, ultimate tensile strength of FRP bars, types of UHPC normal strength concrete (NSC) interface and thickness of UHPC under different reinforcement conditions. Flexural performances, in terms of cracking, yield, ultimate loads and corresponding deflections, failure mode, energy dissipation and ductility, were investigated. Traction-separation model was used to describe the bonding degradation and the maximum slip of two types of bonding interfaces (smooth surface and medium-rough surface). Both flexural capacity and resistance to deformation of composite beams are significantly improved by the utilization of hybrid FRP/steel reinforcement. The UHPC formwork can also delay the occurrence and development of cracks. By appropriately increasing the strength of UHPC or elastic modulus of FRP bar, the flexural capacity of composite beams is effectively improved. It is expected that the results presented in this paper can guide the design and construction of U-shaped UHPC permanent formwork-concrete composite beams reinforced with FRP bars.

Fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) composites are being considered for structural members in bridge construction as lighter, more durable alternatives to steel and concrete. Extensive testing and analysis of a pultruded, hybrid double web beam (DWB) developed for use in bridge construction has been conducted at Virginia Tech. A primary purpose of this testing is the development of a structural design guide for the DWB, which includes stiffness and strength data. The design manual also includes design allowables determined through a statistical analysis of test data. Static testing of the beams, including failure tests, has been conducted in order to determine such beam properties as bending modulus, shear stiffness, failure mode, and ultimate capacity. Measuring and calculating the shear stiffness has proven to be an area of particular interest and difficulty. Shear stiffness is calculated using Timoshenko beam theory which combines the shear stiffness and shear area together along with a shear correction factor, k, which accounts for the nonuniform distribution of shear stress/strain through the cross-section of a structure. There are several methods for determining shear stiffness, kGA, in the laboratory, including a direct method and a multi-span slope method. Herein lays the difficulty as it has been found that varying methods produces significantly different results. One of the objectives of current research is to determine reasons for the differences in results, to identify which method is most accurate in determining kGA, and also to examine other parameters affecting the determination of kGA that may further aid the understanding of this property. This document will outline the development of the design guide, the philosophy for the selection of allowables and review and discuss the challenges of interpreting laboratory data to develop a complete understanding of shear effects in large FRP structural members. / Master of Science

No / In steel-concrete composite construction, headed stud shear connectors are commonly used to transfer longitudinal shear forces across the steel-concrete interface. Present knowledge of the load-slip behavior of the shear stud in composite beam is limited to data obtained from the experimental push-off tests. A finite element model to simulate the structural behavior of headed stud shear connector in steel-concrete composite beam is described in the chapter. The model is based on finite element method and takes into account linear and nonlinear behavior of the materials. The model has been validated against test results and compared with data given in the current Code of Practices, for which both demonstrate the accuracy of the model used. Parametric studies using the model to investigate variations in concrete strength and shear stud diameter are also discussed in the chapter. The model takes into account the linear and nonlinear material properties of the concrete and shear stud. The FE results compare well with the experimental push-off test results and specified data from the codes. The FE model accurately predicts the mode of failure.

Yes / Test results of steel-ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) composite beams with welded steel shear keys (SSKs) under four-point bending are presented in this paper. The objective of the investigation is to reduce the self-weight and manufacturing cost of large-span structures. The study investigates the effects of strength of concrete slab, type, spacing and size of SSK, and concrete slab height and width on flexural behavior of composite beams. The experimental results demonstrate that enhancing concrete strength, reducing SSK spacing, increasing concrete slab size, and using large-size SSK can all significantly enhance the flexural performance. The composite beams with welded SSK exhibit a maximum relative slip of less than 4 mm, while the counterpart with welded bolts has a maximum relative slip greater than 4 mm. The study shows that the welded SSK is more effective than welded bolts in improving the interface shear performance of composite beams and improving the stiffness and load capacity. Additionally, the study defines four failure modes of steel-UHPC composite beams, and the formulae for flexural capacity is developed based on the reasonable basic assumptions. The calculated results fit well with the tested results. The research findings can be provided as a technical support for the design and application of steel-UHPC composite beams. / High-End Foreign Experts Project of Ministry of Science and Technology, China (G2022014054L), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China (BK20201436), the Science and Technology Cooperation Fund Project of Yangzhou City and Yangzhou University (YZ2022194), the Science and Technology Project of Jiangsu Construction System (2023ZD104, 2023ZD105), the Science and Technology Project of Yangzhou Construction System (202309, 202312) / The full-text of this article will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo on 29 May 2025.

Yes / To investigate the flexural performance of steel-UHPC (ultra-high performance concrete) composite beams with welded steel shear keys (SSK), eight specimens were experimental studied by four-point bending test. The finite element (FE) models were established based on the experimental results, then, the failure mode, load, deflection, strain and relative interface slip were parametric analyzed. The influences of strength, dimensions and configuration of upper concrete slab, steel beams as well as SSK on flexural performance, in terms of load-deflection response, ductility and ultimate energy dissipation, were studied. The experimental results show that steel-UHPC composite beams have superior bearing capacity, deformation capacity, ductility and energy dissipation ability when compared with steel-NSC (normal strength concrete) composite counterparts. Increasing the height of upper concrete slab has a significant effect on improving bending capacity and flexural stiffness, while increasing the width has a significant effect on enhancing deformation, ductility and ultimate energy dissipation. Increasing the yield strength, thickness of web and flange of steel beams has significant effect on improving bending capacity. Reducing the SSK spacing or increasing the yield strength of SSK, height and thickness slightly improve the cracking, yield and ultimate loads, reduce deflections, enhance the flexural stiffness, slightly weakens the ductility and ultimate energy dissipation. Besides, four types of failure modes were defined, based on reasonable assumptions, formulae for bearing capacity were proposed, and the predicted results fit well with experimental results. The results can be taken as reference for the design and application of steel-UHPC composite beams in long-span and heavy-load structures. / The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support to the work by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China (BK20201436), High-End Foreign Experts Project of Ministry of Science and Technology, China (G2022014054L), Science and Technology Project of Jiangsu Construction System (2021ZD06, 2018ZD047), Science and Technology Cooperation Fund Project of Yangzhou City and Yangzhou University (YZU212105, YZ2022194), Science and Technology Project of Yangzhou Construction System (202309, 202312, 202204).

As vigas casteladas são fabricadas a partir do corte em zigue-zague da alma de perfis I, após são deslocados e soldados, fazendo com que a viga tenha uma expansão na altura, porém sem aumentar a massa do perfil. As mesmas voltaram a ser uma opção competitiva devido aos avanços tecnológicos, que possibilitam a automação do corte e solda da alma do perfil e com o inicio das produções de perfis I laminados no Brasil em 2002. Apresenta grandes vantagens proporcionando a passagem de dutos e tubulações, aumento na rigidez no plano de flexão e boa estética. O presente trabalho apresenta um estudo analítico-numérico realizado com objetivo de verificar o comportamento de vigas casteladas e vigas casteladas mistas, a fim de apresentar e/ou propor dimensionamentos conforme a norma brasileira para as mesmas. Os trabalhos apresentados por Cimadevila (2000) e Veríssimo (2012) foram utilizados para formulação da análise de vigas casteladas. O trabalho de Lawson (2011) que aborda vigas casteladas mistas com aberturas (circulares e retangulares), que é baseado no EUROCODE 3 (2005), foi utilizado para formulação da metodologia de análise de vigas casteladas mistas. Foram realizadas planilhas para análise de vigas casteladas e vigas mistas com aberturas utilizando as metodologias estudadas, e planilhas de análise de vigas casteladas mistas com a metodologia proposta. Utilizando-se o software ANSYS as planilhas e metodologias puderam ser testadas e validadas. Foram selecionados alguns projetos de dimensionamento para comparar vigas de alma cheia, vigas casteladas, vigas mistas, vigas mistas com aberturas e vigas mistas casteladas. / Castellated beams are made of metal I-beams, in which the webs are first divided by a lengthwise zigzag cut, then these parts are welded together in order to join the peaks of both parts, thus increasing its depth and strength, without mass increasing. Castellated beams are again competitive due to technological advances, which enabled automatic cut and welding the web of the I-beams, and with the beginning of the production of rolled metal I-beams in Brazil in 2002. They exhibit great advantages, such as passing of ducts and pipes, increasing bending stiffness, and having good aesthetics. This work presents analytical and numerical studies looking for analysis the behavior of castellated beams and composite castellated beams in order to develop design methods satisfying the corresponding Brazilian code. The castellated beams analysis were based in the works of Cimadevila (2000) and Veríssimo (2012). The work of Lawson (2011), which concerns composite castellated beams and is based on EUROCODE 3 (2005), was used for the formulation of the methodology of the analysis of composite castellated and cellular beams. Spreadsheets were developed for analysis of castellated beams and composite beams with web openings, using both, the studied methodologies and the suggested methodologies for the composite beams. Using ANSYS software, it was possible to test and validate the developed spreadsheets. Design projects of full web beams, castellated beams, composite beams, composite castellated beams and composite beams with web openings were selected for comparison.

As vigas casteladas são fabricadas a partir do corte em zigue-zague da alma de perfis I, após são deslocados e soldados, fazendo com que a viga tenha uma expansão na altura, porém sem aumentar a massa do perfil. As mesmas voltaram a ser uma opção competitiva devido aos avanços tecnológicos, que possibilitam a automação do corte e solda da alma do perfil e com o inicio das produções de perfis I laminados no Brasil em 2002. Apresenta grandes vantagens proporcionando a passagem de dutos e tubulações, aumento na rigidez no plano de flexão e boa estética. O presente trabalho apresenta um estudo analítico-numérico realizado com objetivo de verificar o comportamento de vigas casteladas e vigas casteladas mistas, a fim de apresentar e/ou propor dimensionamentos conforme a norma brasileira para as mesmas. Os trabalhos apresentados por Cimadevila (2000) e Veríssimo (2012) foram utilizados para formulação da análise de vigas casteladas. O trabalho de Lawson (2011) que aborda vigas casteladas mistas com aberturas (circulares e retangulares), que é baseado no EUROCODE 3 (2005), foi utilizado para formulação da metodologia de análise de vigas casteladas mistas. Foram realizadas planilhas para análise de vigas casteladas e vigas mistas com aberturas utilizando as metodologias estudadas, e planilhas de análise de vigas casteladas mistas com a metodologia proposta. Utilizando-se o software ANSYS as planilhas e metodologias puderam ser testadas e validadas. Foram selecionados alguns projetos de dimensionamento para comparar vigas de alma cheia, vigas casteladas, vigas mistas, vigas mistas com aberturas e vigas mistas casteladas. / Castellated beams are made of metal I-beams, in which the webs are first divided by a lengthwise zigzag cut, then these parts are welded together in order to join the peaks of both parts, thus increasing its depth and strength, without mass increasing. Castellated beams are again competitive due to technological advances, which enabled automatic cut and welding the web of the I-beams, and with the beginning of the production of rolled metal I-beams in Brazil in 2002. They exhibit great advantages, such as passing of ducts and pipes, increasing bending stiffness, and having good aesthetics. This work presents analytical and numerical studies looking for analysis the behavior of castellated beams and composite castellated beams in order to develop design methods satisfying the corresponding Brazilian code. The castellated beams analysis were based in the works of Cimadevila (2000) and Veríssimo (2012). The work of Lawson (2011), which concerns composite castellated beams and is based on EUROCODE 3 (2005), was used for the formulation of the methodology of the analysis of composite castellated and cellular beams. Spreadsheets were developed for analysis of castellated beams and composite beams with web openings, using both, the studied methodologies and the suggested methodologies for the composite beams. Using ANSYS software, it was possible to test and validate the developed spreadsheets. Design projects of full web beams, castellated beams, composite beams, composite castellated beams and composite beams with web openings were selected for comparison.

As vigas casteladas são fabricadas a partir do corte em zigue-zague da alma de perfis I, após são deslocados e soldados, fazendo com que a viga tenha uma expansão na altura, porém sem aumentar a massa do perfil. As mesmas voltaram a ser uma opção competitiva devido aos avanços tecnológicos, que possibilitam a automação do corte e solda da alma do perfil e com o inicio das produções de perfis I laminados no Brasil em 2002. Apresenta grandes vantagens proporcionando a passagem de dutos e tubulações, aumento na rigidez no plano de flexão e boa estética. O presente trabalho apresenta um estudo analítico-numérico realizado com objetivo de verificar o comportamento de vigas casteladas e vigas casteladas mistas, a fim de apresentar e/ou propor dimensionamentos conforme a norma brasileira para as mesmas. Os trabalhos apresentados por Cimadevila (2000) e Veríssimo (2012) foram utilizados para formulação da análise de vigas casteladas. O trabalho de Lawson (2011) que aborda vigas casteladas mistas com aberturas (circulares e retangulares), que é baseado no EUROCODE 3 (2005), foi utilizado para formulação da metodologia de análise de vigas casteladas mistas. Foram realizadas planilhas para análise de vigas casteladas e vigas mistas com aberturas utilizando as metodologias estudadas, e planilhas de análise de vigas casteladas mistas com a metodologia proposta. Utilizando-se o software ANSYS as planilhas e metodologias puderam ser testadas e validadas. Foram selecionados alguns projetos de dimensionamento para comparar vigas de alma cheia, vigas casteladas, vigas mistas, vigas mistas com aberturas e vigas mistas casteladas. / Castellated beams are made of metal I-beams, in which the webs are first divided by a lengthwise zigzag cut, then these parts are welded together in order to join the peaks of both parts, thus increasing its depth and strength, without mass increasing. Castellated beams are again competitive due to technological advances, which enabled automatic cut and welding the web of the I-beams, and with the beginning of the production of rolled metal I-beams in Brazil in 2002. They exhibit great advantages, such as passing of ducts and pipes, increasing bending stiffness, and having good aesthetics. This work presents analytical and numerical studies looking for analysis the behavior of castellated beams and composite castellated beams in order to develop design methods satisfying the corresponding Brazilian code. The castellated beams analysis were based in the works of Cimadevila (2000) and Veríssimo (2012). The work of Lawson (2011), which concerns composite castellated beams and is based on EUROCODE 3 (2005), was used for the formulation of the methodology of the analysis of composite castellated and cellular beams. Spreadsheets were developed for analysis of castellated beams and composite beams with web openings, using both, the studied methodologies and the suggested methodologies for the composite beams. Using ANSYS software, it was possible to test and validate the developed spreadsheets. Design projects of full web beams, castellated beams, composite beams, composite castellated beams and composite beams with web openings were selected for comparison.