The Prediction of Strength of Hybrid Beams by Equivalent Section Concept

It is known that the application of higher strength steels to structures often results in significant material-cost savings, this research is concentrated on a study of the structural strength of hybrid flexural members using different sheet steels. A total of 72 cold-formed steel hybrid beams were investigated in this study. Since the yield strengths and stress-strain relationships of the two materials used to fabricate the beam specimens are different, the yield strength of hybrid beam can not be easily calculated. Therefore, by using the available test data, the alternative computing procedure with equivalent section concept was developed and utilized in the calculation of load-carrying capacity for cold-formed steel hybrid beam. In the determination of the strength of hybrid sections, the effective cross-sectional area calculated on the basis of the dynamic yield stresses can also be employed.