Title: Design and analysis of a composite beam for infrastructure applications - Part I: Preliminary investigation in bending

Authors: Mario Springolo, Gerard Van Erp, Amar Khennane

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Surveying, The University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia. ' Fibre Composite Design and Development Centre, The University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia. ' Faculty of Engineering and Surveying, The University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia

Abstract: This study aims to contribute to the development of a composite beam for use in civil engineering systems. Based on the limitations in existing concepts, a new beam design is proposed and its behaviour studied. Using the classical beam theory, the Timoshenko beam theory, the Timoshenko plate theory, as well as the transformed section approach, borrowed from reinforced concrete, a simplified analytical approach, which could be used in design, is developed to conduct first and second order analysis of the proposed beam in order to achieve a rational sizing of its section before a rigorous testing regime is carried out. Finally, to validate the analytical model and gain confidence in the design, the analytical and experimental results are compared to a rigorous nonlinear finite element solution. The analytical model agreed relatively well with the experiments and the FE analyses, giving confidence in the validity of the underlying assumptions.

Keywords: composite beams; design; beam prototype; Timoshenko beam theory; Timoshenko plate theory; transformed sections; bending; finite element analysis; FEA; fibre reinforced polymer composites; FRP composites.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2006.008885

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2006 Vol.25 No.4, pp.297 - 312

Published online: 02 Feb 2006 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article