Numerical investigation on slim floors: comparative analysis of ASB and CoSFB typologies

Tainá Mascarenhas Borghi,Lucas Antônio Morais Oliveira,Ana Lucia Homce De Cresce El Debs

doi:10.1590/s1983-41952021000400011

Tainá Mascarenhas Borghi, Lucas Antônio Morais Oliveira + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1983-41952021000400011

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Abstract

abstract: Innovative composite structures have been intensively studied towards meeting the demands of civil construction. An example of such structures is slim floor, comprised of concrete or composite slabs positioned at the height of steel beams, reducing the total height of the floor. In Brazil, studies on this system are still in early stages, and due to the lack of both experience and national normative codes, it is hardly used in civil construction. Given the possible combinations between concrete slabs and steel beams, the system exhibits different typologies. This article reports a numerical investigation on two typologies of slim floor, namely Asymmetric Slimflor Beam (ASB), composed of an asymmetric I beam, and Composite Slim-Floor Beam (CoSFB), comprised of an asymmetric beam with small openings at the top of its web. Nonlinear numerical models of ASB and CoSFB typologies were developed by Finite Element-based software ABAQUS®. The models were calibrated with the use of experimental studies from the literature, and showed high accuracy and good results. After calibration, the materials properties and geometric dimensions of the models, such as height and thickness, were standardized for a comparison of the typologies. The comparative analysis showed the particular characteristics of CoSFB promoted higher stiffness and flexural capacity compared to ASB, and a parametric analysis evaluated the influence of steel and concrete parameters on the flexural behavior of the typologies. The parametric study revealed the steel parameters exerted a more substantial influence on the slim floors behavior than the concrete ones.

Highlights

Studies on composite structures have substantially increased in the global scenario, since such structures benefit from both high tensile strength of the steel and compressive strength of the concrete [1], meeting the current demands for more efficient civil industry and economical and fast construction
This study aims to contribute with the dissemination of knowledge on slim floor through a numerical investigation of the Asymmetric Slimflor Beam (ASB) and Composite Slim Floor Beam (CoSFB)
The properties of each experimental study were added to ABAQUS, and the parameters involved in the modelling that helped the definition of the structural behavior (e.g., Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) plasticity, aspects of contact interaction, and mesh of the components) were adjusted

Summary

Introduction

Studies on composite structures have substantially increased in the global scenario, since such structures benefit from both high tensile strength of the steel and compressive strength of the concrete [1], meeting the current demands for more efficient civil industry and economical and fast construction. E.g., possible reductions in selfweight, ability to overcome large spans with no shoring, buckling attenuation, and more effective fire and corrosion protection, are relevant in comparison to reinforced concrete or steel structures. Slim floor offers such benefits, since it is composed of a steel beam, concrete or composite slab and shear connections, resembling composite beams. Slim floor enables a range of different compositions, varying the type of slab and beam employed, or the position and type of shear connections [2]

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