Maciej Szumigała

A Numerical Analysis of the Resistance and Stiffness of the Timber and Concrete Composite Beam

Abstract The article presents the results of a numerical analysis of the load capacity and stiffness of the composite timber and concrete beam. Timber and concrete structures are relatively new, they have not been thoroughly tested and they are rarely used because of technological constraints. One of the obstacles to using them is difficulty with finding a method which would allow successful cooperation between concrete and timber, which has been proposed by the authors of the present article. The modern idea of sustainable construction design requires the use of new more environmentally-friendly solutions. Wood as an ecological material is easily accessible, less energy-consuming, and under certain conditions more corrosion-resistant than steel. The analysis presented in the article showed that cooperation between a wooden beam and a concrete slab on profiled steel sheeting is possible. The analysed composite beam has a greater load capacity and stiffness than the wooden beam.

Shear Lag Effect In The Numerical Experiment

Abstract The standard PN-EN 1993-1-5: 2008 (Eurocode 3) compared with the standard (PN-B-03200: 1990) used previously in Poland, introduces extended rules referring to the computations of the bearing capacity of the plated structural elements including the shear lag effect. The stress distribution in the width flanges is variable. Therefore in the case of the beam with the shear lag effect cannot be calculated by the classic beam theory. In this article a comparison of the results of the calculations of forces distribution, stresses and displacement according to the rule presented in PN-EN 1993 and results of the numerical computations for 3D model (using finite element method) is presented. The elastic shear lag effects, the elastic shear lag effects including effects of the plate buckling and the elastic-plastic shear lag effects including the local instabilities were analysed. The calculations were performed for beams with a small and a large span and an influence of stiffeners was analysed.

An analysis of the load-bearing capacity of timber-concrete composite beams with profiled sheeting

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of timber-concrete composite beams. Said composite beams consist of rectangular timber beams and concrete slabs poured into the steel sheeting. The concrete slab is connected with the timber beam using special shear connectors. The authors of this article are trying to patent these connectors. The article contains results from a numerical analysis. It is demonstrated that the type of steel sheeting used as a lost formwork has an influence on the load-bearing capacity and stiffness of the timber-concrete composite beams.

Preliminary analysis of the aluminium-timber composite beams

Abstract This paper presents a new type of composite structures - aluminium-timber beams. These structures have an advantage over other existing composite structures, because they are lighter. However, their application may be limited due to the high price of aluminium alloys. The authors of this article made an attempt to calculate the load-bearing capacity of an aluminium-timber beam.

Numerical Modelling Of The Strengthening Process Of Steel-Concrete Composite Beams

Abstract This paper presents the numerical modelling of strengthening a steel-concrete composite beam. The main assumption is that the strengthening is not the effect of the state of a failure of a structure, but it resulted from the need to increase the load-bearing capacity and stiffness of the structure (for example: due to a change in the use of the object). The expected solution is strengthening without the necessity to completely unload the structures (to reduce the scope of works, the cost of modernization and to shorten the time). The problem is presented on the example of a composite beam which was strengthened through welding a steel plate to the lower flange of the steel beam. The paper describes how energy parameters are used to evaluate the efficiency of structures’ strengthening and proposes an appropriate solution.