Abstract
Trapezoidally corrugated web steel beams (CWSBs) are commonly utilized in various building applications. However, there is limited information about their operational behavior based on the load position (i.e., over horizontal or inclined folds). Thus, it is important to determine the influence of loading location on the overall CWSB behavior, especially for loading over horizontal folds, which has yet to be properly explored due to limited experimental and computational studies. In this study, experimental, numerical, and theoretical analyses are conducted to examine the behavior of CWSB loaded over inclined and horizontal folds. Four specimens are manufactured with various load positions and web heights. A finite element model is developed and verified by the experimental results in terms of the load deflection curve, failure mode, and stress distribution across the compression flange. The theoretical analysis reveals that the equations proposed by the EN 1993-1-5 standard are convenient for the loading applied over the inclined folds. Therefore, a numerical analysis is carried out to examine the influence of various factors on the capacity of the CWSB loaded across horizontal folds, and a simple formula to accurately predict the moment resistance is established. The study demonstrates that there is a significant relationship between the stress distribution along the flange width and load application, as well as a strong influence of the flange-to-web thickness ratio on the failure mechanism and moment capacity of the CWSBs. Finally, the new proposed mathematical model exhibits reasonable accuracy when employed to predict the moment resistance for the loading applied over the horizontal folds.
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•Four-point bending is used to test TCWSBs with various loading positions and web heights.•The ultimate capacity and failure mechanism of the tested beams are compared.•Two alternative standard formulas are analyzed, as well as various design approaches.•Numerical model of CWSBs was created and validated, the effect of various parameters was numerically studied.•An analytical approach is proposed to predict the capacity of the TCWSB under in-plane loads on horizontal folds.