Flexural behaviour of segmental prestressed composite beams with corrugated steel webs

Abstract

An experimental study and theoretical calculations of the flexural behaviour of segmental prestressed composite beams with corrugated steel webs are presented. Four specimens (one monolithic and three segmental beams) are tested. Based on the experiments, the flexural strength of the segmental beams is found to be approximately 0·75 of that of the monolithic beam, and the joint types of CSWs are found to have a little effect on the load-bearing capacity of the segmental beams. Moreover, the load-bearing capacity of the segmental beams is found to maximise by increasing the ratio of internal tendons in the bottom concrete flange to external tendons. Specifically, by increasing the ratio from 2:0:4 to 2:2:2, a 31% increase in the load-bearing capacity has been gained. Additionally, it has been found that the quasi-plane assumption is valid for the segmental beams with CSWs within the elastic range. Finally, a theory-based method for calculating the flexural bearing moment of segmental beams with CSWs is presented by considering the effect of the stress increment of the prestressed tendons.