Experimental and numerical behavior of composite castellated beams under repeated loads

This research project aims to investigate composite castellated beams, a lightweight structural element with advantages such as lightweight construction, simplified assembly process, optimal material utilization, and robust structural integrity. The production process involves engraving a distinctive zigzag pattern into solid I-beams and reconnection through welding procedures, resulting in a substantial increase in the vertical dimension of the structural elements. The study focuses on the influence of various aperture shapes (circular, square, and hexagonal) and shear stud spacing on the overall performance of the beams. The researchers use finite element analysis using Abaqus software to assess the structural responses of six distinct beam models. The Von Mises criterion is used to evaluate the performance of beams under external loads, facilitating the estimation of loads at which failure may occur. The relationship of the experimental works and numerical applications is aimed to demonstrate the detailed analysis of the corresponding behavior of the solid composite castellated beams. Statistical analysis presented in drawing the following results, the numerical model possesses a high accuracy in estimating the ultimate load, ultimate deflection, and the slip as the cracking load and the ultimate load of beams made of the composites are reached. Nevertheless, some cases are reported of the disparity crossing the level of threshold by more than 10% due to the properties of the materials used, the dimensions of the mesh laid and the complex boundary conditions implemented. The study will entail impact measurement of load, deflection, and displacement of these factors. The test will be conducted on several different beam samples. The percentage errors calculated are a representation of the deviation of the actual experimental outcome and the corresponding numerical value with percentage deviations ranging between -5.79% and +8.85% The paper highlights that the assessment of composite study is always crucial and therefore this study also considers the effect which slab slippage has on steel beam flexural stiffness. This article, as a result, has a huge contribution to the gaining of knowledge of the structural behavior of beams with composite cross- sections and shells and offers practical recommendations for their design and analysis solutions in practical cases.