• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.665-691
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• 2015

This study aims at comparing the optimum design of two common types open web expanded beams: with hexagonal openings, also called castellated beams and beams with circular openings referred to as cellular beams. The minimum weights of both beams are taken as the objective functions while the design constraints are respectively implemented from The Steel Construction Institute Publication Numbers 5 and 100. The design methods adopted in these publications are consistent with BS5950 parts. The formulation of the design problem considering the limitations of the above mentioned turns out to be a discrete programming problem. Improved harmony search algorithm is suggested to compare the optimum design of mentioned web-expanded beams to analysis the performance of both beams. The design algorithms based on the technique select the optimum Universal Beam sections, dimensional properties of hexagonal and circular holes and total number of openings along the beam as design variables.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.1417-1443
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• 2016

Cellular and castellated steel beams are used to obtain higher stiffness and bending capacity using the same weight of steel. In addition, the beam openings may be used as a pass for different mechanical fixtures such as ducts and pipes. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different parameters on both elastic and inelastic critical buckling stresses of steel web plates with openings. These parameters are plate aspect ratio; opening shape (circular or rectangular); end distance to the first opening; opening spacing; opening size; plate slenderness ratio; steel grade; and initial web imperfection. The web/flange interaction has been simplified by web edge restraints representing simply supported boundary conditions. A numerical parametric study has been performed through linear and nonlinear finite element (FE) models, where the FE results have been verified against both experimental and numerical results in the literature. The web plates are subject to in-plane linearly varying compression with different loading patterns, ranging from uniform compression to pure bending. A buckling stress modification factor (${\beta}$-factor) has been introduced as a ratio of buckling stress of web plate with openings to buckling stress of the corresponding solid web plate. The variation of ${\beta}$-factor against the aforementioned parameters has been reported. Furthermore, the critical plate slenderness ratio separating elastic buckling and yielding has been identified and discussed for two steel grades of DIN-17100, namely: ST-37/2 and ST-52/3. The FE results revealed that the minimum ${\beta}$-factor is 0.9 for web plates under uniform compression and 0.7 for those under both compression and tension.