The behaviour and design of homogeneous and hybrid high strength steel (HSS) beams are addressed in the present study. Six in-plane three-point bending tests on three different welded I-sections were first conducted. Following the experimental investigation, a finite element (FE) modelling programme was performed, which included a validation study confirming the accuracy of the developed FE models in replicating the flexural behaviour of HSS welded I-section beams, and a parametric study generating additional FE data on HSS welded I-section beams over a broader range of cross-sectional slendernesses, steel grades and loading configurations. Then, the suitability of the current Eurocode 3 cross-section slenderness limits for HSS homogeneous and hybrid welded I-sections in bending were evaluated. It is shown that the current Eurocode Class 2 and Class 3 slenderness limits are suitable for the classification of the outstand flange (in compression) and internal web (in bending) elements of both HSS homogeneous and hybrid welded I-sections subjected to major axis bending, while stricter Class 1 slenderness limits are considered necessary to achieve sufficient rotation capacity for plastic design. The findings indicate that plastic design can be used for HSS structures, provided the proposed stricter Class 1 slenderness limits are employed. Further work is underway to develop advanced design approaches using second-order inelastic analysis with strain limits for HSS welded I-section members.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)