Feasibility of developing composite action between concrete and cold-formed steel beam

Cold-formed steel structures are steel structure products constructed from sheets or coils using cold rolling, press brake or bending brake method. These structures are extensively employed in building construction industry due to their light mass, ductility by economic cold forming operations, favorable strength-to-mass ratio and other factors. The utilization of cold formed steel sections with concrete as composite can hugely reduce the construction cost. However, the use of cold formed steel members in composite concrete beams has been very limited. A comprehensive review of developments in composite beam with cold formed steel sections was introduced. It was revealed that employing cold-formed steel channel section to replace reinforcement bars in conventional reinforced concrete beam results in a significant cost reduction without reducing strength capacity. The use of composite beam consisting of cold-formed steel open or close box and filled concrete could also reduce construction cost. Lighter composite girder for bridges with cold-formed steel of U section was introduced. Moreover, types of shear connectors to provide composite action between cold-formed steel beam and concrete slab were presented. However, further studies to investigate the effects of metal decking on the behavior of composite beam with cold-formed steel section and introduction of ductile shear connectors were recommended.

Double⁃Shear Experiments of Cold⁃Formed Steel Stud⁃to⁃Sheathing Connections at Elevated Temperatures

The behavior of cold⁃formed steel(CFS)stud⁃to⁃sheathing connections at elevated temperatures is an important parameter for the fire resistance design and modeling of mid⁃rise CFS structures.In this paper,three kinds of sheathings,namely,medium⁃and low⁃density calcium⁃silicate boards and oriented strand board,were selected for double⁃shear experiments on the mechanical properties of 253 screw connections at ambient and elevated temperatures.The effects of the shear direction,screw edge distance and the number of screws on the behavior of the connections were studied.The results showed that the shear direction and the screw edge distance more significantly influenced the peak deformation,while their impacts on the peak load varied with the type of sheathings.Compared with the single⁃screw connections,the peak loads of the specimens with double⁃screw connections obviously increased but did not double.Finally,a simplified load⁃displacement curve model of stud⁃to⁃sheathing connections at elevated temperature was generated first by establishing the prediction formula for characteristic parameters,such as the peak load,the peak deformation and the elastic stiffness,and then by considering whether the curves corresponded to stiffness increase phenomena.The present investigation provides basic data for future studies on the numerical modeling of CFS structures under fire conditions.

Quality Control for Continuously Cast Slab of High Strength Weathering Steel Q450NQR1

In order to reduce the transverse corner cracks of high strength weathering steel Q450NQR1,the factors influencing transverse corner cracks on continuously cast slab,such as level fluctuation of molten steel in mold,mold taper,primary cooling,mold powder,secondary cooling,nitrogen content in steel,spray nozzle structure,processing parameters and equipment of CC,etc.,were analyzed.Based on this,a series of comprehensive countermeasures have been proposed.The operation shows by the use of key technologies,including stabilizing steel level,optimizing the mold taper,weakening the primary cooling and the secondary cooling,reforming the mold powder,and adjusting spray nozzle structure,the transverse corner cracks on continuously cast slab have been significantly reduced,and the edge cracks on hot rolled sheet have been eliminated due to the transverse corner cracks.The qualified slabs are delivered to produce weathering cold forming sectional steel,whose yield strength is greater than 450MPa.