Enhancing the Shear Strength of Castellated Double Web Steel Beams

What is it about?

The existence of hexagonal openings in the web of castellated beams resulted in the transmission of shear forces through the opened sections. This study aimed to enhance the strength of the castellated beam with hexagonal openings by utilising self-compacting concrete (SCC). The research consisted of an experimental study of nine castellated steel. Experimental testing is carried out on a beam with a two-point load and a simply supported condition across a span of 1660 mm. The testing is divided into three main groups. Each group contains three specimens with different castellation percentages, which are 0%, 25%, and 50%. The first group did not contain any strengthening. The second group strengthened the beams by adding self-compacting concrete in the first and last third. The third group strengthened the beams by adding self-compacting concrete at a distance (D) from the support on both sides. The experimental results show that adding self-compacting concrete (SCC) between the double web at a distance of L/3 in the first strengthening technique led to an improved shear capacity of 3.33% for specimens (N0%), 8.56% for specimen (N25%), and 53.37% for specimen (N50%). In the same manner, adding self-compacting concrete (SCC) between the double web at a distance of D as a second strengthening technique enhanced the load-carrying capacity by 8.18% for specimens (N0%), 2.81% for specimen (N25%) and 38.51% for specimen (N50%).

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Photo by Declan Sun on Unsplash

Photo by Declan Sun on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The presence of holes in the web of this particular steel component causes the redistribution of stresses surrounding the holes, thereby impacting its collapse characteristics. Additionally, the existence of these holes reduces the rigidity of the beams, resulting in greater deflection. The utilisation of castellated beams featuring hexagonal holes resulted in a greater depth of the web, thus leading to an increase in the narrow nature of the web posts. This, in turn, caused the web to collapse due to buckling [5]. The main aim of this study is to enhance the structural integrity of castellated beams with hexagonal holes. This will be achieved by strengthening the webs of the beams with self-compacted concrete, which will serve as a filler material between the webs.

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