Abstract
The use of steel beams with web openings (SBWOs) for structures such as industrial buildings and high-rise buildings has turned out to be extensive in recent times. There are numerous motives for which openings are kept. In this respect, an experimental investigation was planned and conducted on seven models of SBWOs. The initiative was to identify the maximum load behaviour, and deflection of steel beams with openings in the web. The performance of such beams has been considered only for vertical loads. Hot rolled steel beams of ISMB 100 with openings in the web were tested to failure. The beams were simply supported at the ends and subjected to a concentrated load applied at the mid-span. The openings considered in the experimental study are circular and rectangular only. All the beams were analysed by the finite element method by using general finite element analysis software ANSYS and the results were compared with those obtained experimentally. The test results found to be very useful for optimization of spacing-to-diameter ratio and aspect ratio of openings. The finite element results for deformation and ultimate strength shows good agreement with the corresponding values observed in the experiments. At last, a parametric study was carried out using finite element method to examine that which type of openings gives best performance during loading.
Highlights
Since 1940, numerous efforts have been made by structural engineers to find innovative ways to condense the cost of steel structures
Variations of mid-span deflection with the applied load for typical beams are shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. It has been observed from the experiments that stiffness and ultimate load of the steel beam with web openings decrease with an increase in the opening area
Be concluded that ANSYS analysis is reliable in predicting the ultimate strength of SBWOs
Summary
Since 1940, numerous efforts have been made by structural engineers to find innovative ways to condense the cost of steel structures. SBWOs, i.e. castellated and cellular beams have been used extensively Incorporation of services, such as hydraulic and ventilation pipes as well as electric cables, within the structural depth of the beams, see Fig. 1 is a major benefit in construction. Researchers such as Bower (1968), Lawson (1987), Darwin (1990) have stated the presence of web openings may have big drawback on load-carrying capacity of structural members. The present design guides and specifications for such beams are either inadequate or difficult to use (SCI P355 2011) This may be due to the fact that the behaviour of I-Beams with web openings is complex to understand, analyse and difficult to simplify the design procedures. For steel beams with circular web openings, most of the design rules are applicable using an equivalent rectangular opening of modified dimensions, as
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