Experimental and finite element evaluations of single-T composite cold-formed steel beam with concrete slab

• Published in: Engineering structures 2024-11, Vol.318, p.118762, Article 118762
• Main Authors: Sharaf, Tarek, Abdellatif, Mohamed, Elghandour, Mohamed, ElSabbagh, Ashraf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cold-formed sections; Composite beams; Steel-concrete composite sections
• ISSN: 0141-0296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2024.118762

Steel-concrete composite constructions are of particular interest due to their properties such as lightweight, fast construction rate, and higher load carrying capacity, which may be enhanced by utilizing cold-formed steel rather than hot-rolled steel to get lightweight floor system. The structural behavior of hybrid composite beams has been studied through experimental testing and finite element analysis. The beams are made in the form of a single T-beam by joining a concrete slab and a mono-symmetric cold-formed section (CFS). The CFS has two flanges: the upper is shaped like a Y or a T, and the lower is hollow and rectangular in shape. By partially embedding the upper steel flange into the 1000 mm-wide concrete slab, the composite action was established. Sixteen finite element models were used in the finite element models' evaluation process, and eight composite beam specimens underwent a four-point loading flexure tests. Principal characteristics, like the CFS's upper (Y or T) flange with and without vertical web stiffeners, were investigated. The load-carrying capacity and failure mechanisms of each specimen were measured, recorded, and confirmed by the FEA results. The ultimate load-carrying capacity of the composite section was 120 % higher with the Y-beam CFS than with the T-beam CFS. Additionally, adding stiffeners increased the local buckling resistance of the CFS and increased the beam's load-carrying capacity by about 105 %. The FEA results showed that increasing the slab thickness increased the section moment capacity by about 123 % and using a flange thickness bigger than web thickness could increase the section moment capacity than using a flange thickness smaller than web thickness CFS beam thicknesses by about 109 %. •The behavior of Single-T Composite CFS beams under flexure was studied.•The stiffeners provided sufficient restraint for the web of T-WS and Y-WS specimens’ behavior against local buckling issues.•Stiffeners increased the section load capacity, also affects the specimens’ deflections.•increasing slab thickness is highly effective and could enhance the section load capacity.