Push Tests on Innovative Shear Connector for Composite Beam with Cold-formed Steel Section

In this study, experimental tests were conducted to investigate the ductility and strength capacity of new shear connector. Push test specimens were prepared and tested according to EN1994-1-1 standard. The push test specimen consists of two cold-formed steel lipped channel sections oriented back-to-back to form an I-section beam, transverse metal deck and normal concrete slabs grade C25/30. Angle brackets were obtained from the same section of the beam and fastened to the web of steel beam to provide the shear connection. Two shear connectors were tested namely; “SC1” and “SC2” shear connectors. Both shear connectors showed a ductile behavior and had satisfied the ductility requirements of EN1994-1-1 standard. It was concluded that the ductile behavior of shear connectors could enhance the design of composite beam

The Influence of Silica Fume on the Properties of Mortars Containing Date Palm Fibers

Natural fibers have recently been presented as a promising alternative for manufactured fibers. Date palm fibers showed interesting results when used as an inclusion in concrete and mortar. In this study, Sefri Date Palm Mesh Fibers (SDPMF) were used as an inclusion in mortars. Silica fume (SF) partially replaced the cement by 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by mass to improve the mechanical properties of SDPMF mortars. SDPMFs were collected from local farms. The fibers were then cleaned, dried, and cut to 50 mm, and added to mortars with 1%, 2%, and 3% by weight. Density, absorption, open porosity, workability, and compressive strength of mortars were investigated. A comparison with a previous study’s results for mortars containing Sefri Date Palm Leave Fibers (SDPLF) is presented. The results showed that the incorporation of SF as part of cement may lead to improving the properties of the mixtures containing SDPMF fibers

A Review on the Utilization of Date Palm Fibers as Inclusion in Concrete and Mortar

Currently, natural fibers attract the attention of researchers and builders in the construction industry as they are eco-friendly, cost-effective, lightweight, and renewable resources. The inclusion of natural fibers in the concrete and mortar will contribute to solving the environmental problems associated with dumping or burning them and improve the properties and durability of concrete and mortar. Similar to other natural fibers, Date Palm Fibers (DPF) have been receiving more attention as construction materials. This paper presents a review on the properties of DPF and its effects on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of concrete and mortar as well as the processing of DPF and mix design. DPFs can be used in concrete and mortar to improve their properties. However, some of the properties could be reduced. Even though the conducted studies and investigations are promising, it is still not enough to introduce DPF concrete and mortar to the construction industry’s applications

Construction of Roller Compacted Concrete Dams in Hot Arid Regions

Roller compacted concrete (RCC) dams are attractive to many water and energy corporations around the world due to their ease in construction and low construction cost. The hydration of cement and the climatic changes on the convective boundaries are the two main heat sources for the temperature rise in the roller compacted concrete dams. Thus, changing the RCC placement schedule according to climate conditions might eliminate the problem of thermal cracks. In this research, the RCC dam method was applied in an arid region; the Bisha state in Saudi Arabia was chosen as a case study. We found that RCC dam technology can be applied safely with an alternative solution, like selecting a suitable placement schedule and reducing the placing temperature of facing at upstream and downstream sides to overcome the risk of thermal cracks

Towards light-weight composite construction: innovative shear connector for composite beams

Introducing low cost housing is one of the challenges face civil engineers now-days. Using lightweight construction materials i.e. cold formed steel sections is an alternate solution to overcome the challenge. In this study, a lightweight composite beam was introduced. It consists of cold formed steel section and profiled concrete slab. Experimental push tests were conducted to investigate the ductility and strength capacities of new and innovative shear connectors. The shear connectors were easy to form and give advantages to speed up the fabrication process of the proposed composite beam. The shear connectors showed large deformation and strength capacities. It is concluded that the proposed shear connectors could be used for lightweight composite beams

Push tests on innovative shear connector for composite beam with cold-formed steel section

In this study, experimental tests were conducted to investigate the ductility and strength capacity of new shear connector. Push test specimens were prepared and tested according to EN1994-1-1 standard. The push test specimen consists of two cold-formed steel lipped channel sections oriented back-to-back to form an I-section beam, transverse metal deck and normal concrete slabs grade C25/30. Angle brackets were obtained from the same section of the beam and fastened to the web of steel beam to provide the shear connection. Two shear connectors were tested namely; “SC1” and “SC2” shear connectors. Both shear connectors showed a ductile behavior and had satisfied the ductility requirements of EN1994-1-1 standard. It was concluded that the ductile behavior of shear connectors could enhance the design of composite beam

Push-out tests on three innovative shear connectors for composite cold-formed steel concrete beams

The composite action between concrete and steel makes the use of composite beams in buildings more economical than the use of typical hot-rolled steel beams. This can be attributed to the beam's lower depth, which significantly reduces the weight of steel. Composite beams can be constructed by lipped C-channels made from cold-formed steel, concrete, and different shear connectors (which exhibit behaviours that are not yet well understood). In this study, the behaviour of three innovative shear connectors used in composite cold-formed steel concrete beams made of lipped C-channels with profiled metal decking was experimentally examined. Experimental tests aimed to determine the maximum resistance of the proposed shear connectors; these results were then compared with the predicted values and the values for other shear connectors investigated in other studies. Likewise, the ductility and the strength capacity of the shear connectors were investigated. Twelve push-out test specimens were prepared and tested in accordance with Eurocode 4. It was found that a shear connector's strength capacity considerably depends on its deformation and on the crushing of concrete. The ductile behaviour of all the tested shear connectors satisfied the ductility requirements of Eurocode 4. In this study, it is concluded that the proposed shear connectors were suitable for use in the construction of composite beams, as they were stronger than the standard headed studs and the other available shear connectors; they were also sufficiently strong to perform composite actions