Experimental investigation of hot rolled steel beams subjected to weak axis four point bending

Abstract

Due to the vast steel industry growth, conventional heat curving process has become unsupportive to the fabricators. A new fast and cost effective process named cold bending uses loads created by hydraulic jacks to induce the curvature. In this process, the required circular curve of the steel girder will develop from permanent deformation induced when removing the loads. The purpose of this project is to generate results that will reveal more important data about cold bending effects on steel sections. This is accomplished by carrying out an experimental study on weak axis bending on a steel rolled I-section, and a numerical finite element three-dimensional (3D) model that replicates the experiment considering initial imperfections and initial residual stresses. The finite element model is validated by comparing results with measured values from the test. Close correlation is noted between measured and calculated strains and deformations irrespective of the magnitude and distribution of initial imperfections and initial residual stresses. The finite element analysis is then used for modelling the curved beam subjected to static and fatigue loads about its strong axis to identify possible adverse effects of cold bending on the steel section in service. It also helps setting-up the testing configuration of the steel section bent about its strong axis and identifying lateral braces critical locations and magnitudes to resist torsion.