Finite Element Analysis of the Stability of a Sinusoidal Web in Steel and Composite Steel-Concrete Girders

Abstract

This paper presents the results of numerical investigations into the behavior of a sinusoidal web loaded in shear due to buckling in the period from the onset of buckling until failure, as well as the impact of a reinforced concrete slab on the stability of the web. The analysis concerned steel girders and composite girders with the top flange bonded to a reinforced concrete slab. Nonlinear analyses were performed using the finite element method. The results of the investigations support the conclusion that the appearance and propagation of shear stresses in the sinusoidal web of the composite steel–concrete beam are the same as those in an identical non-composite steel beam, but the bracing of the top flanges improves the shear strength and, at the same time, affects the location of initial stresses. In addition, it was found that, despite the three types of buckling, the predominant failure of the sinusoidal webs, regardless of the presence of the concrete slab, is global buckling. It occurs diagonally through several folds at the same time, including deformation of the web over its entire height.

Experimental and Numerical Analyses of the Failure of Prestressed Concrete Railway Sleepers

“…In the FEM analysis, the Young's modulus of concrete was adopted as E 0 = 38 GPa, and the Poisson ratio as v = 0.17. By using Equations (4) to (7), it was possible for us to obtain the curves shown in Figure 10, which shows the parameters defining the nonlinear behavior of concrete, in both the tension and compression zones [30]. The physical laws of concrete were described by using the function proposed by [31].…”

“…The uniaxial behavior implemented in the model consisted of the bi-linear stress-strain [30,33]. Table 4 shows the details adopted for steel.…”

“…In the numerical computations, the concentrated load was applied perpendicularly to the loaded surface, through many points, considering a perfect rigid body. The uniaxial behavior implemented in the model consisted of the bi-linear stress-strain [30,33]. Table 4 shows the details adopted for steel.…”

“…In order to analyze the RSA, the concrete abrasion of the sleeper was simulated in the ABAQUS program. Four damage cases of abrasion by reduction of depth (d) were applied (10,20,30 and 60 mm). The location and dimension of abrasion are shown in Figure 15, and reduction depth was simulated.…”

Finite Element Modeling of the Dynamic Properties of Composite Steel–Polymer Concrete Beams

“…One such composite structural element is the steel-concrete or steel-polymer-concrete beam. Despite the extensive literature on the modeling of the static properties of such structures [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9], few publications deal with the modeling of their dynamic properties. This may indicate a more developed understanding of the aspects related to their static properties in relation to their dynamic properties.…”