Full-Scale Floor System Testing for Future Hot-Rolled Asymmetric Steel I-Beams
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 2
Abstract
The presented study conveys the initial full-scale experimental study for future hot-rolled asymmetric steel I-beams, termed A-shapes. The primary use for these beams is residential building floor systems. Current systems commonly utilize concrete solutions, which achieve a shallow depth for optimal floor-to-floor heights. However, these floor systems are relatively slow to construct because of the amount of formwork, rebar and post-tensioning placement, and shoring needed. The shallow-depth steel-concrete floor system concept explored in this research aims to improve the speed and efficiency of residential building construction. This increase in speed is achieved through hot-rolled steel A-shapes, which reduce the fabrication time for beam production. These steel shapes have a wide bottom flange that can support precast concrete panels or deep metal decking. Therefore, a relatively easy to assemble shallow-depth system can be achieved. The research study presented herein includes the experimental feasibility testing of a full-scale shallow-depth steel-concrete floor system to further the knowledge of A-shape performance in such systems. The floor system concept evaluated consisted of three steel A-shapes, precast hollow-core concrete panels, and a cast-in-place concrete topping slab. The testing involved taking measurements during construction, service live loading, and loading of the system to failure. The major unknowns were constructability, stability during construction, live load performance, and composite behavior. This experiment revealed that the system was constructed easily and rapidly and also remained stable during construction. The system performed well under service live load, experiencing deflections equivalent to . The system failed due to the bond breaking between the concrete and steel, going noncomposite after experiencing partially composite behavior. This occurred at an actuator load equivalent to five times the design service live load. All of this indicates that the floor system concept using A-shapes is a legitimate path forward to faster construction of residential facilities. This validates the need for the research toward standardized A-shapes in the United States.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to AISC for supporting this study through the Milek Fellowship. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AISC. The authors thank the project industry panel for all their insight and support. This panel is comprised of three US steel mills (Nucor, Steel Dynamics, and Gerdau), fabricators, erectors, designers, and members of AISC (Devin Huber and Margaret Matthew). In addition, the authors appreciate the support from the Texas A&M High-Bay Laboratory, which includes Dr. Peter Keating, Charlie Droddy, and Kirk Martin.
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© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 26, 2022
Accepted: Aug 24, 2022
Published online: Nov 24, 2022
Published in print: Feb 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Apr 24, 2023
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