• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.320-324
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• 2022

Lightweight steel is a crucial material that is being actively studied because of increased carbon emissions, tightening regulations regarding fuel efficiency, and the emergence of UAM, all of which have been recently labeled as global issues. Hence, new strategies concerning the thickness and size reduction of steel are required. In this study, we manufacture lightweight steel of the Fe-Mn-Al-C system, which has been recently studied using the DED process. By using 2.8 wt.% low-Mn lightweight steel, we attempt to solve the challenge of joining steel parts with a large amount of Mn. Among the various process variables, the laser scan power is set at 600 and 800 W, and the laser scan speed is fixed at 16.67 mm/s before the experiments. Several pores and cracks are observed under both conditions, and negligibly small pores of approximately 0.5 ㎛ are observed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Advanced Composite Structures
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2016

In this paper, the structural characteristics of a lightweight soundproof tunnel to reduce the dead load imposed on the bridge are investigated. Subsequently, the design procedure of soundproof tunnel structures is reviewed and a design practice for the lightweight soundproof tunnel is carried out according to the reviewed procedure. Next, design compatibility for the lightweight soundproof tunnel is verified through a detailed finite element analysis. The result for evaluation of design compatibility shows that the lightweight soundproof tunnel has structural safety in structural members, welding zones and foundation parts. It is also confirmed that serviceability and buckling safety is excellent.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.299-314
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• 2017

The aim of this paper is to investigate the performance of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Filled Steel Tube (LWCFST) columns experimentally and compare to the behavior of Self-Compacted Concrete Filled Steel Tube (SCCFST) columns under axial loading. Four different L/D ratios and three D/t ratios were used in the experimental program to delve into the compression behaviours. Compressive strength of the LWC and SCC are 33.47 MPa and 39.71 MPa, respectively. Compressive loading versus end shortening curves and the failure mode of sixteen specimens were compared and discussed. The design specification formulations of AIJ 2001, AISC 360-16, and EC4 were also assessed against test results to underline the performance of specification methods in predicting the compression capacity of LWCFST and SCCFST columns. Based on the behaviour of the SCCFST columns, LWCFST columns exhibited different performances, especially in ductility and failure mode. The nature of the utilized lightweight aggregate led to local buckling mode to be dominant in LWCFST columns, even the long LWCFST specimens suffered from this behaviour. While with the SCCFST specimens the global buckling governed the failure mode of long specimens without any loss in capacity. Considering a wide range of column geometries (short, medium and long columns), this paper extends the current knowledge in composite construction by examining the potential of two promising and innovative structural concrete types in CFST applications.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1001-1021
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• 2015

Ultra-lightweight cement composite (ULCC) with a compressive strength of 60 MPa and density of $1,450kg/m^3$ has been developed and used in the steel-concrete-steel (SCS) sandwich structures. This paper investigates the structural performances of SCS sandwich composite beams with ULCC as filled material. Overlapped headed shear studs were used to provide shear and tensile bond between the face plate and the lightweight core. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) model was developed for the ultimate strength analysis of such SCS sandwich composite beams. The accuracy of the FE analysis was established by comparing the predicted results with the quasi-static tests on the SCS sandwich beams. The FE model was also applied to the nonlinear analysis on curved SCS sandwich beam and shells and the SCS sandwich beams with J-hook connectors and different concrete core including ULCC, lightweight concrete (LWC) and normal weight concrete (NWC). Validations were also carried out to check the accuracy of the FE analysis on the SCS sandwich beams with J-hook connectors and curved SCS sandwich structure. Finally, recommended FE analysis procedures were given.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.1
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• pp.25-42
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• 2023

This paper presents a finite element (FE) simulation of eccentrically loaded lightweight aggregate concrete-encased steel (LACES) columns with H-shaped steel sections, analytical equations are also established to estimate the columns' axial and bending moment interaction capacities. The validity of the proposed models is checked by comparing the results with experimental data. Good agreements between the test and proposed models' results are found with acceptable agreements. Moreover, design parameters, including the lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) strength, eccentricity, column slenderness ratio, and confinement, are studied using the FE analysis, and their efficiency factors are discussed. The results show that the ultimate axial capacity of the LACES composite columns subjected to eccentric loading is negatively affected by the increase in the columns' height, but it is positively affected by the increase of the confinement. Increasing the eccentricity and columns' height reduced the columns'stiffness. In addition, the ultimate capacity of the LACES column is significantly influenced by the LWAC strength and eccentricity, where the ultimate capacity of the LACES column is significantly increased by increasing LWAC strength, and it is remarkably decreased by increasing the eccentricity. When the eccentricity changed from zero to 70 mm, the ultimate axial capacity and stiffness decreased by 67.97% and 63.56%, respectively.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.223-239
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• 2021

This paper presents the analytical modeling and finite element (FE) analysis, using ABAQUS software, of the new types of steel reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete (SRLAC) columns with cross-shaped (+shaped and X-shaped) steel section, using proposed three analytical and two FE models in total. The stress-strain material models for different components in the columns, including the confined zones of the lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) using three and four concrete zones divisions approaches and with and without taking into account the stirrups reaction effect, are established first. The analytical models for determining the axial load-deformation behavior of the SRLAC columns are drawn based on the materials models. The analytical and FE models' results are compared with previously reported test results of the axially loaded SRLAC columns. The proposed analytical and FE models accurately predict the axial behavior and capacities of the new types of SRLAC columns with acceptable agreements for the load-displacement curves. The LWAC strength, steel section ratio, and steel section configuration affect the contact stress between the concrete and steel sections. The average ratios of the ultimate test load to the three analytical models and FEA model loads, Put /Pa1, Put /Pa2, Put /Pa3, and Put /PFE1, for the tested specimens are 0.96, 1.004, 1.016, and 1.019, respectively. Finally, the analytical parametric studies are also studied, in terms of the effects of confinement, LWAC strength, steel section ratio, and the reinforcement ratio on the axial capacity of the SRLAC column. When concrete strength, confinements, area of steel sections, or reinforcement bars ratio increased, the axial capacities increased.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.675-688
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• 2024

Cold-formed steel (CFS) is prone to buckling failure under loading. Lightweight concrete (LC) made of lightweight aggregate has light weight and excellent thermal insulation performance. However, concrete is brittle in nature which is why different materials have been used to improve this inherent behavior of concrete. The distortional buckling (DB) performance of cold-formed steel-lightweight concrete (CFS-LC) composite columns was investigated in this paper. Firstly, the compressive strength test of foam concrete (FC) and ceramsite concrete (CC) was carried out. The performance of the CFS-LC members was investigated. The test results indicated that the concrete-filled can effectively control the DB of the members. Secondly, finite element (FE) models of each test specimen were developed and validated with the experimental tests followed by extensive parametric studies using numerical analysis based on the validated FE models. The results show that the thickness of the steel and the strength of the concrete-filled were the main factors on the DB and bearing capacity of the members. Finally, the bearing capacity of the test specimens was calculated by using current codes. The results showed that the design results of the AIJ-1997 specification were closer to the experimental and FE values, while other results of specifications were conservative.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.469-488
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• 2011

This paper consists of two parts; the first part describes the laboratory work concerning the behavior of lightweight aggregate concrete filled steel tubes (LACFT). Based on eccentricity tests, fifty-four specimens with different slenderness ratios (L/D= 3, 7, and 14) were tested. The main parameters varied in the test are: load eccentricity; steel ratio; and slenderness ratio. The standard load-strain curves of LACFT columns under eccentric loading were summarized and significant parameters affecting LACFT column's bearing capacity, failure mechanism and failure mode such as confinement effect and bond strength were all studied and analyzed through the comparison with predicted strength of concrete filled steel tube columns (CFT) using the existing codes such as AISC-LRFD (1999), CHN DBJ 13-51-2003 (2003) and CHN CECS 28:90 (1990). The second part of this paper presents the results of parametric study and introduces a practical and accurate method for determination of the maximum compressive strength of confined concrete core ($f_{max}$), In addition to, the study of the effect of aspect-ratio and length-width ratio on the yield stress of steel tubes ( $f_{sy}$) under biaxial state of stress in CFT columns and the effect of these two factors on the ultimate load carrying capacity of axially loaded CFT/LACFT columns.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.163-178
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• 2016

Composite Lightweight (CL) insulated walls have gained wide adoption recently because the exterior claddings of steel building frames have their cost effectiveness, good thermal and structural efficiency. To investigate the seismic behavior, lateral stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation of steel frames with the CL infill walls, five one-story one-bay steel frames were fabricated and tested under cyclic loads. Test results showed that the bolted connections allow relative movement between CL infill walls and steel frames, enabling the system to exhibit satisfactory performance under lateral loads. Additionally, it is found that the addition of diagonal steel straps to the CL infill wall significantly increases the initial lateral stiffness, load-carrying capacity, ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the system. Furthermore, the test results indicate that the lateral stiffness values of the frames with the CL infill wall are similar to those of the bare steel frames in large lateral displacement.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.169-185
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• 2010

The present work describes the experimental tests on steel and lightweight concrete composite beams performed at University of Minho, Portugal. The study involves tests on simply supported composite beams of 4.5 m span, with the same geometrical disposition, supports and materials. The geometrical configuration for the cross section and supports is identical for every beam, varying the shear connectors' distribution and the loading conditions. Headed studs are used to provide the connection between the steel profile and the concrete slab. The parameters in study are the stud disposition and the load distribution. The main objective is to describe the composite beams behaviour, focused on its connection, and to analyse the contribution of the different components to the beams load and deformation capacity. All the tests explored the beams maximum load and deformation capacity and different types of failure were observed.