Effect of Fillet Radii on Moment Carrying Capacity of Sinusoidal Web Opening Castellated Steel Beams in Comparison with Hexagonal Web Openings

Abstract

In recent times, the use of castellated beams with various web openings for structures like high-rise building and industrial structure has turned out to be extensive. It offers an increase in depth of section without any extra weight, high strength-to-weight ratio, lower maintenance and painting cost. The most important advantage of the castellated beam is its higher bending stiffness, simplicity of service facility and beautiful appearance. The aim of this research paper is to offer a new web opening shape as a sinusoidal opening to avoid failure of the castellated beam due to shear stress concentration at the corner of the opening and also to study the maximum moment carrying capacity and deflection of castellated beams. In this research, 15 beams were fabricated. Four models of castellated beams were considered for experimentation. This research is focussed on hexagonal and sinusoidal openings of a castellated beam subjected to flexural loading. The variables were considered are fillet radii for sinusoidal openings with one-fourth, one-sixth and one-eighth of hexagonal opening. All the beams were analysed by the finite element method using ANSYS software, and the results were compared with experimental outcomes. The experimental results for maximum moment carrying capacity and deflection show good agreement with the corresponding value observed in ANSYS software. The experimental results show that castellated beam with fillet radius one-fourth of opening has 20.78% more moment carrying capacity and 11.51% less deflection compared to hexagonal opening. The outcomes consider relevant for practical applications.