Experimental and numerical studies on the behavior of corrugated steel-sprayed ECC composite arches with full-shear-connection

This paper proposes a novel corrugated steel-sprayed ECC (CSSECC) composite arch, which possesses high load-bearing capacity and fast construction speed. To investigate the ultimate load-bearing capacity, composite effect, and key mechanical indices, five 6 m-span arch specimens were tested. A finite element model was developed, and parametric analysis was conducted. The results indicate that the ultimate load-bearing capacity and damping ratio of the CSSECC composite arch specimens can reach 3.4 and 6.5 times that of the corrugated steel (CS) arch, respectively, and increasing the ECC thickness significantly enhances the damping ratio. Both studs and epoxy resin contribute to the composite effect, but studs are more reliable than epoxy resin even though their design shear connection degree is the same at 1.2. Finally, a design method for the stability bearing capacity under axial compressive was proposed. •Four CSSECC composite arches and one CS arch were tested under three-point loading.•Load-displacement curve and composite effect were analyzed to examine the work mechanism.•FEM was developed and the influence of parameters on the stability bearing capacity under axial compressive were analyzed.•A design method was proposed to predict the stability bearing capacity under axial compressive.