Variationally-based theories for buckling of partial composite beam-columns including shear and axial effects

International audienceThis paper is focused on elastic stability problems of partial composite columns: the conditions for the axial load not to introduce any pre-bending effects in composite columns; the equivalence, similarities and differences between different sandwich and partial composite beam theories with and without the effect of shear, with and without the effect of axial extensibility, and also the effect of eccentric axial load application. The basic modelling of the composite beam-column uses the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and a linear constitutive law for the slip. In the analysis of this reference model, a variational formulation is used in order to derive relevant boundary conditions. The specific loading associated with no pre-bending effects before buckling is geometrically characterized, leading to analytical buckling loads of the partial composite column. The equivalence between the Hoff theory for sandwich beam-columns, the composite action theory for beam-columns with interlayer slip and the corresponding Bickford-Reddy theory, is shown from the stability point of view. Special loading configurations including eccentric axial load applications and axial loading only on one of the sub-elements of the composite beam-column are investigated and the similarity of the behaviour to that of imperfect ordinary beam-columns is demonstrated. The effect of axial extensibility on kinematical relationships (according to the Reissner theory), is analytically quantified and compared to the classical solution of the problem. Finally, the effect of incorporating shear in the analysis of composite members using the Timoshenko theory is evaluated. By using a variational formulation, the buckling behaviour of partial composite columns is analysed with respect to both the Engesser and the Haringx theory. A simplified uniform shear theory (assuming equal shear deformations in each sub-element) for the partial composite beam-column is first presented, and then a refined differential shear theory (assuming individual shear deformations in each sub-element) is evaluated. The paper concludes with a discussion on this shear effect, the differences between the shear theories presented and when the shear effect can be neglected

A weak shear web model for deflection analysis of deep composite box-type beams

International audienceDeep box-type beams, consisting of framing members and sheathings, are sensitive to shear deformations and hence appropriate refined theories or complicated magnification factors are needed to be used to obtain accurate results. For sheathings or webs between the framing members that are weak in shear, additional shear deformations occur corresponding to the relative axial displacement between the framing members. These sandwich -type or partial interaction-type of in-plane shear behaviour between the framing members, needs to be taken into account, especially when the web shear stiffness is very low. The composite box-type beam treated here is composed of three framing members with sheathings on both sides. To incorporate effects of the sheathings shear deformations between the framing members on the deflection, the sheathings, here called web interlayers, are modelled as shear media with equivalent slip moduli corresponding to a partially interacting composite beam model. Governing equilibrium equations of the model are obtained using the minimum total potential energy principle and solved explicitly. The obtained results are compared with those based on different conventional beam theories and 3-D finite element (FE) simulations. It is shown that the model is capable of predicting accurately the deflection for a wide range of geometry and property parameters. It is demonstrated that the deflection of such deep box-type beams can be expressed as the summation of three different effects, namely bending deformations, conventional shear deformations in the framing members and sheathings, and additional in-plane shear deformations or shear slips of the weak web causing relative axial displacements between the framing members

Stability analysis of three-layer shear deformable partial composite columns

International audienceThis paper is focused on the effect of imperfect bonding and partial composite interaction between the sub-elements of a box-type column on the critical buckling loads. The box column is modelled as a symmetric three-layer composite structure with interlayer slips at the interfaces, based on the Engesser-Timoshenko theory with uniform shear deformation assumptions. Linear shear springs or slip modulus is considered at the interfaces to model the partial interaction between the sub-elements of the structure. The minimum total potential energy principle is utilized to obtain governing equations and boundary conditions. A direct analytical solution of the original governing equations is presented for obtaining exact buckling characteristic equation of the three-layer partial composite column with different end conditions including clamped-pinned end conditions. Also, the coupled equations are recast into an efficient uncoupled form and shown that there is a strong similarity with those for the two layer element. It is shown that the obtained formulae are converted to the known Euler column formulae when the slip modulus approaches infinity (i.e. perfect bonding) and no shear deformations in the sub-elements are considered. A differential shear Engesser-Timoshenko partial composite model is also employed and critical buckling loads, obtained from an inverse solution method, are compared to examine the validity and accuracy level of the uniform shear model. Comprehensive dimensionless numerical results are presented and discussed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Nailed Steel Plate Connections : Strength and Ductile Failure Modes

This paper deals with theoretical and experimental investigations of nailed steel plate connections. For the experimental part, a total of 99 laboratory tests have been carried out in order to study failure mechanism and shear capacity of nailed steel plate connections. The testing programme comprised two nail lengths, two steel plate thicknesses and five nailing patterns. All tests related to loading of the plate in the direction of the grain of the wood. The nail patterns were designed to give ductile joint failure by yielding of the nails and/or bearing failure of the wood. The failure load was recorded and the mode and course of failure noted. For some of the specimens, deformation of the nails during loading was studied by means of an X-ray equipment. Deviations between the test results and contemporary consensus as manifested in the SS-EN 1995-1-1:2004 and the Johansen theory for ductile failure were found in several respects: development of the plastic hinges in the nails, influence of nail length, steel plate thickness and nail-to-nail and edge distances. The paper also presents an empirical equation based on multiple regression analysis of the test results was proposed as an attempt to predict the load-carrying capacity of nailed connections in shear