Techno Press
Techno Press

Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  Volume 21, Number 3, October20 2005 , pages 295-313
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2005.21.3.295
 


Determining the effective width of composite beams with precast hollowcore slabs
Ehab El-Lobody and Dennis Lam

 
Abstract
    This paper evaluates the effective width of composite steel beams with precast hollowcore slabs numerically using the finite element method. A parametric study, carried out on 27 beams with different steel cross sections, hollowcore unit depths and spans, is presented. The effective width of the slab is predicted for both the elastic and plastic ranges. 8-node three-dimensional solid elements are used to model the composite beam components. The material non-linearity of all the components is taken into consideration. The non-linear load-slip characteristics of the headed shear stud connectors are included in the analysis. The moment-deflection behaviour of the composite beams, the ultimate moment capacity and the modes of failure are also presented. Finally, the ultimate moment capacity of the beams evaluated using the present FE analysis was compared with the results calculated using the rigid – plastic method.
 
Key Words
    effective width; precast; hollowcore slabs; finite element; modelling; composite design; steel; concrete.
 
Address
Ehab El-Lobody; Department of Structural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
Dennis Lam; School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, U.K.
 

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