Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental and analytical study on ultimate strength behavior of steel–concrete–steel sandwich composite beam structures

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Materials and Structures Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Steel–concrete–steel (SCS) sandwich composite structure is a relative new type of system that combines the advantages of steel and reinforced concrete structure. Due to its excellent strength to cost performance, it exhibits versatile potential applications in building and offshore constructions. In order to reduce the self-weight of the structure and achieve composite action between the steel and concrete, ultra-lightweight cement composite and novel shear connectors have been developed and applied in the SCS sandwich composite structures, respectively. Meanwhile, the development of design guidelines lags behind the innovation of the structure. In this paper, experimental studies on SCS sandwich composite beams with different types of concretes and novel shear connectors are presented. This is followed by the development of analytical model to predict the ultimate strength of the SCS sandwich composite beams. Finally, the proposed analytical model is verified against the results from a series of beams tests which include Bi-steel sandwich beams, double skin beams, sandwich beams with J-hook connectors, angle connectors, and cable connectors. Through the analysis and verification, new methods to predict the ultimate strength of SCS sandwich composite beams are recommended for design purposes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26
Fig. 27

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Liew JYR, Sohel KMA (2009) Lightweight steel–concrete–steel sandwich system with J-hook connectors. Eng Struct 31(5):1166–1178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Liew JYR, Sohel KMA, Koh CG (2009) Impact tests on steel–concrete–steel sandwich beams with lightweight concrete core. Eng Struct 31(9):2045–2059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Dai XX, Liew JYR (2010) Fatigue performance of lightweight steel–concrete–steel sandwich systems. J Constr Steel Res 66(2):256–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Sohel KMA, Liew JYR (2011) Steel–concrete–steel sandwich slabs with lightweight core-static performance. Eng Struct 33(3):981–992

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bowerman H, Coyle N, Chapman JC (2002) An innovative steel/concrete construction system. Struct Eng 80(20):33–38

    Google Scholar 

  6. Xie M, Foundoukos N, Chapman JC (2007) Static tests on steel–concrete–steel sandwich beams. J Constr Steel Res 63(6):735–750

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Zhao XL, Han LH (2006) Double skin composite construction. Prog Struct Eng Mater 8(3):93–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Subedi NK, Coyle NR (2002) Improving the strength of fully composite steel–concrete–steel beam elements by increased surface roughness: an experimental study. Eng Struct 24(10):1349–1355

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Montague P (1975) A simple composite construction for cylindrical shells subjected to external pressure. J Mech Eng Sci 17(2):105–113

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  10. Solomon SK, Smith DW, Cusens AR (1976) Flexural tests of steel–concrete–steel sandwiches. Mag Concr Res 28(94):13–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Oduyemi TOS, Wright HD (1989) An experimental investigation into the behavior of double skin sandwich beams. J Constr Steel Res 14(3):197–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Malek N, Machida A, Mutsuyoshi H, Makabe T (1993) Steel–concrete sandwich members without shear reinforcement. Trans Jpn Concr Inst 15(2):1279–1284

    Google Scholar 

  13. Foundoukos N (2005) Behaviour and design of steel–concrete–steel sandwich construction. PhD thesis, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of London

  14. Liew JYR, Wang TY, Sohel KMA (2008) Tensile capacity of short anchor bolts and welded sandwich composite structures. US Provisional Patent 61/047, 130

  15. Leekitwattana M, Boyd SW, Shenoi RA (2011) Evaluation of the transverse shear stiffness of a steel bi-directional corrugated-strip-core sandwich beam. J Constr Steel Res 67(2):248–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Kim SH, Choi KT, Park SJ, Park SM, Jung CY (2013) Experimental shear resistance evaluation of Y-type perfobond rib shear connector. J Constr Steel Res 82:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Ollgaard JG, Slutter RG, Fisher JW (1971) Shear strength of stud connectors in lightweight and normal-weight concrete. Eng J AISC 8(2):55–64

    Google Scholar 

  18. Shendy ME (1991) A comparative study of LECA concrete sandwich beams with and without core reinforcement. Cement Concr Compos 13(2):143–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Bergan PG, Bakken K (2005) Sandwich design: a solution for marine structures. In: Proceedings of the international conference on computational methods in marine engineering. Eccomas Marine, pp 27–29

  20. Chia KS, Zhang MH, Liew JYR (2011) High-strength ultra lightweight cement composite–material properties. In: Proceedings of 9th international symposium on high performance concrete design, verification & utilization, Rotorua, New Zealand, 9–11 Aug 2011

  21. Weitzenböck JR, Grafton T (2010) Assessment of the INCA steel–concrete–steel sandwich technology—a public report. DNV, Det Norske Veritas, NO-1322 Høvik, Norway

  22. Grafton TJ, Weitzenböck JR (2011) Steel–concrete–steel sandwich structures in ship and offshore engineering. In: Guedes Soares C, Fricke W (eds) Advances in marine structures. Taylor & Francis Group, London, pp 549–558

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  23. British Standard Institution (2000) BS5950-1: structural use of steelwork in building—part 1: code of practice for design-rolled and welded sections. BSI, London

    Google Scholar 

  24. Eurocode 4 (2004) Design of composite steel and concrete structures—part 1.1: general rules and rules for buildings. BS EN 1994-1-1

  25. AISC (2010) Specification for structural steel buildings. AISC-360-10, American Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  26. Yan JB, Liew JYR, Sohel KMA, Zhang MH (2013) Push-out tests on J-hook connectors in steel–concrete–steel sandwich structure. Mater Struct. doi:10.1617/s11527-013-0145-y

  27. American Concrete Institute 318 (ACI) (2008) Building code requirements for structural concrete (ACI 318-08) and commentary (ACI 318R-08). American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills

    Google Scholar 

  28. Eurocode 2 (2004) Design of concrete structures—part 1-1: general rules and rules for buildings. BS EN 1992-1-1

  29. Eurocode 3 (2005) Design of steel structures—part 1-1: general rules and rules for buildings. BS EN 1993-1-1

  30. Narayanan R, Roberts TM, Naji FJ (1994) Design guide for steel–concrete–steel sandwich construction, Volume 1: general principles and rules for basic elements. The Steel Construction Institute, Ascot, Berkshire, UK

  31. Roberts TM, Edwards DN, Narayanan R (1996) Testing and analysis of steel–concrete–steel sandwich beams. J Constr Steel Res 38(3):257–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. McKinley B, Boswell LF (2002) Behaviour of double skin composite construction. J Constr Steel Res 58(10):1347–1359

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The research described herein was funded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, and supported by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and National University of Singapore under research project titled “Curved steel–concrete–steel sandwich composite for Arctic region” (Project No. R-302-501-002-490).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Jia-Bao Yan, J. Y. Richard Liew, Min-Hong Zhang & K. M. A. Sohel

Authors
  1. Jia-Bao Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Y. Richard Liew
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Min-Hong Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. K. M. A. Sohel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jia-Bao Yan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yan, JB., Liew, J.Y.R., Zhang, MH. et al. Experimental and analytical study on ultimate strength behavior of steel–concrete–steel sandwich composite beam structures. Mater Struct 48, 1523–1544 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-014-0252-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-014-0252-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation