Abstract
Openings in the webs of steel beams are frequently required due to the installations, but the openings decrease the maximum capacity and efficiency of the beams to carry the loads. The use of corrugated webs, in various forms, instead of flat webs increases the efficiency of steel beams. In this study, flat webs were replaced with corrugated webs to increase the efficiency of steel beams with openings. Finite element simulations were con-ducted on 51 steel beams with flat and corrugated webs and different openings. The results of the numerical analyses of several beams with openings in flat webs were compared with previously published findings and found to be accurate in predicting the maximum load capacity and the corresponding deflection of the beams. The results showed that the same efficiency of beams with openings in flat webs can be obtained with corrugated webs of reduced thickness, which results in a reduction of approximately 40 % of steel material used. Rectangular corrugated webs are more efficient than the triangular and trapezoidal corrugated ones. The dimensions of the corrugated web have a greater effect than the spacing between openings, and circular openings have a lesser impact on the efficiency of the beam than rectangular openings.