Impact behavior of high-strength steel beam with different web opening forms

Abstract

This paper investigates the performance of high-strength steel beams with web openings (HSSBWOs) under impact by methods of tests and finite element. Based on the experimental data of 10 specimens, which were made of high-strength steel Q550D, and the effects of impact energy and web opening forms on the impact behavior of HSSBWOs are investigated emphatically. In particular, two specimens made of steel Q235D were used to study the differences in impact behavior from HSSBWOs. The test results reveal that the high-strength steel beams with circular web openings (HSSBCWOs) have better impact resistance than the high-strength steel beams with hexagonal web openings (HSSBHWOs), and the HSSBWOs have better impact resistance than the normal-strength steel beams with web openings (NSSBWOs). Moreover, HSSBWOs has excellent abilities to absorb energy, the average energy absorption rate of HSSBHWOs and HSSBCWOs is 95.78% and 93.55%, respectively. In addition, finite element models that can accurately predict the dynamic responses of HSSBWOs under impact load are established to analyze the shear force evolutions, as well as investigate the differences of impact behavior between steel beams with a variety of web openings forms. The results show that the shear force distribution ranges of HSSBCWOs are larger than that of HSSBHWOs at the time when impact force reached peak value. The HSSBWOs can sustain more impact load with the web opening shape that closer to the circle. The solid webbed steel beam (SWSB) has better impact resistance than the steel beams with web opening (SBWO).