Abstract
AbstractThis chapter presents an experimental and modelling investigation into modular composite beam structures using web-flange fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) and steel for building floor construction. The modular FRP slabs are formed from adhesively bonding pultruded box profiles (i.e. square hollow sections) sandwiched between two flat panels. They are then connected via adhesive or one-sided bolted connections to steel beams to form a composite system. Two different fibre (pultrusion) configurations are investigated in this chapter: flat panel pultrusion with direction either parallel or perpendicular to the box profiles. Composite beams were tested under four-point bending and evaluated for bending stiffness, load-carrying capacity, and the degree of composite action within the FRP web-flange sandwich slab and that provided by the shear connections. All the composite beams showed ductile load–deflection responses, with yielding of the composite beam commencing prior to failure of the FRP slabs. Furthermore, adhesive bonding provided full composite action, but the novel bolted connections with a certain spacing provided either full or partial composite action, dependent on the pultrusion configuration of the FRP slab. An analytical procedure is also developed to evaluate the bending stiffness and load-carrying capacity of the composite beams. Finite element analysis was further employed in this chapter, showing good comparisons to the experimental results.
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