Experimental and numerical investigations on the mechanical behaviour of large-span circular steel-concrete composite slabs for wind power tower

• Published in: Thin-walled structures 2024-09, Vol.202, p.112107, Article 112107
• Main Authors: Zhuang, Liang-Dong, Tao, Mu-Xuan, Zhao, Ji-Zhi, Yang, Ke-Yang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Circular large-span slab; Steel-concrete composite structure; Wind power foundations
• ISSN: 0263-8231; 1879-3223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2024.112107

•A theoretical and engineering basis for circular steel-concrete composite slabs.•Circular steel–concrete composite slabs have potential for structural applications.•Circular slabs offer application possibilities for offshore wind power foundations. Circular slabs as novel structural shapes offer excellent application possibilities for offshore wind power foundations. By applying a steel-concrete composite structure to a circular slab, steel consumption can be reduced, and the foundation span can be increased compared to steel structures. In addition, it further reduces the structural height and lightens the self-weight of the structure compared to concrete slabs. In this study, experimental investigations and theoretical analysis analyses were combined. First, four circular steel-concrete composite slab components were produced, and a quasi-static experimental study was conducted. Secondly, based on the elastic-plastic theory, the bearing capacity of the circular steel-concrete composite slab was theoretically derived, and the main parameters affecting the bearing capacity were determined. Finally, a finite element model of a circular steel-concrete composite slab was created and verified based on the test results. A parameter analysis was conducted on the circular composite slab to investigate the influence of factors such as the number of main beams, stiffening rib design, concrete strength, steel strength, and boundary conditions on the ultimate bearing capacity of the structure. A design method for this type of circular steel-concrete composite slab is summarised, which provides a theoretical basis and engineering recommendations for the application of this new type of structure.