Shear transfer mechanism of perforated web connection for concrete encased steel structures. (1st February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Xianlin; Liu, Yuqing; Lu, Yuanchun; Li, Xuefeng
• Is Part Of: Engineering structures. Volume 252(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-01
• Subjects: CES structure -- Shear mechanism -- Perforated web connection -- Push-out test -- FEA -- Artificial neural networks; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Construction, Technique de la -- Périodiques; Génie parasismique -- Périodiques; Pression du vent -- Périodiques; Earthquake engineering; Structural engineering; Wind-pressure; Periodicals; 624.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.113418
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-0296

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Innovative perforated web connection (PWC) for CES bridges are proposed. PWC with perforating rebars significantly improves shear-slip response. Refined FE models considering bond and mechanical anchorage are developed. Extensive parametric analysis to provide valuable information on PWC. Artificial Neural Network is developed to predict shear resistance of PWC. Abstract: The size of the steel section in concrete encased steel (CES) structure of bridge engineering is much larger than that of the building construction, accompanied by great shear demands at the steel–concrete interface. To enhance the interfacial shear performance, perforated web connection (PWC), which perforates the web of steel section with perforating rebars passing through the web openings, is proposed in this research for bridge application. Push-out tests and refined numerical analysis were performed on CES specimens with PWC, aiming to evaluate its effectiveness and to reveal the shear transfer mechanism. The effect of various parameters on the shear resistance was also investigated through a parametric study using the validated modeling method. Eventually, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was developed to predict the ultimate shear resistance of PWC. The results indicate that the interfacial shear-slip response especially the post-peak behavior is significantly improved by PWC with perforating rebars, which transforms the failure manner from brittle to ductile. The failure process of the PWC with perforating rebars experiences the loss of bonding, activation of perforating rebars, as well as shear failure of perforating rebars and concrete dowels. The parametric analysis shows that the PWC with large web openings exhibits great ultimate shear resistance and sensitivity to the variation in other parameters owing to good compatibility between the natural bond and reinforced concrete dowels. The well trained ANN model is a powerful tool for efficiently predicting the ultimate shear resistance of such connection.