Shear resistance performance of web-opening high-strength steel beams under impact loads

To investigate the shear resistance performance of web-opening high-strength steel beams (WOHSSBs) under impact loads, falling-hammer impact tests were performed, focusing on the impact energy, inter-opening space, and opening height. The test results showed that the WOHSSBs under impact loads exhibited two local deformation patterns: the Vierendeel mechanism and the out-of-plane lateral buckling deformation of the web. Five different stiffening methods were used to improve the shear resistance performance of WOHSSBs, and numerical simulations were performed to analyze the shear resistance performance under different stiffening methods, revealing that applying horizontal vertical composite stiffeners and opening flange stiffeners were more effective in improving the shear resistance performance of WOHSSBs than the other stiffening methods. Additionally, enhancing the constraints at the edge of the openings can effectively improve the shear capacity of WOHSSBs under impact loads. Finally, formulas for the ultimate shear capacity of WOHSSBs with and without stiffening ribs under impact loads for various opening-height ratios. •This study conducted falling-hammer tests and finite element methods to study the shear performance of web-opening high-strength steel beams (WOHSSBs) under impact loads.•Comparative examination of the shear performance of WOHSSBs under different influencing parameters for five different stiffening methods.•The employment of horizontal vertical composite stiffeners and opening stiffeners proved to be more effective in enhancing the shear performance of WOHSSBs than other stiffening methods.•Propose formulas for calculating the ultimate shear capacity of WOHSSBs with and without stiffening ribs under impact loads for various opening-height ratios.