Abstract :
This study briefly summarizes the results of experimental tests performed on optimal designed Angelina™
steel beams. The objective of the investigation was to study the effect of hole geometry on the mode of failure and ultimate strength of such beams under loading conditions. For this purpose, six optimal designed angelina beams are tested in a self reacting frame to determine the ultimate load carrying capacities of these new generation web-expanded beams. The specimens were all fabricated from IPN beams and were expanded to almost 1.5 times the original depth. All specimens were fabricated from ASTM A-36 steel. The design methods for the specimens will be the harmony search algorithm and particle swarm method which are stochastic search techniques. The minimum weight is taken as the design objective while the design constraints are implemented from the SCI (Steel Construction Institute). Design constraints include the displacement limitations, overall beam flexural capacity, beam shear capacity, overall beam buckling strength, web post flexure and buckling, vierendeel bending of upper and lower tees and local buckling of compression flange. The design methods adopted in this publication are consistent with BS5950.
Keyword :
Web-expanded steel beams; stochastic search methods; harmony search; particle swarm; load sarrying capacity; structural optimization