Evaluation of effective width of GFRP-steel composite beams for structural construction

S. Satasivam, Y. Bai, X. L. Zhao

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Glass fibre reinforced polymer composites have great potentials for structural design and construction. One successful application is the FRP-steel composite beam system consisting of a GFRP deck adhesively bonded on top of a steel girder. By replacing existing concrete slabs with GFRP savings in weight can be achieved, accompanied with high strength in both tension and compression and better corrosion resistance. However, because of distinctions in mechanical properties of concrete and GFRP, the effective width of the resulting composite beam may be different. This paper investigates the effective width of GFRP deck systems adhesively bonded to steel girders using finite element and analytical approaches. The modelling results were first validated through previous experimental results and a parametric study was then conducted to clarify the effects of typical geometric parameters, major mechanical properties and the degree of composite action. Results showed that the span length and flange width of the composite beams are the major factors that influence effective width. Furthermore, the adhesive layer was revealed to have less of an influence on the effective width if full composite action is provided. Existing empirical models for steel and concrete composite beams may be used to analyse GFRP-steel beams because similar normal strain distributions are seen in both GFRP-steel and concrete-steel systems.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFrom Materials to Structures
Subtitle of host publicationAdvancement Through Innovation - Proceedings of the 22nd Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM 2012
Pages149-154
Number of pages6
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes
Event22nd Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM 2012 - Sydney, NSW, Australia
Duration: 11 Dec 201214 Dec 2012

Publication series

NameFrom Materials to Structures: Advancement Through Innovation - Proceedings of the 22nd Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM 2012

Conference

Conference22nd Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM 2012
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CitySydney, NSW
Period11/12/1214/12/12

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Mechanics of Materials

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