Ultimate load carrying capacity of optimally designed steel cellular beams

The objective of the current research is to present ultimate load carrying capacities and finite element analysis of optimally designed steel cellular beams under loading conditions. The tests have been carried out on twelve full-scale non-composite cellular beams. There are three different types of NPI_CB_240, NPI_CB_260 and NPI_CB_280 I-section beams, and four tests have been conducted for each specimen. These optimally designed beams which have beginning span lengths of 3000 mm are subjected to point load acting in the middle of upper flange. The design method for the beams is the harmony search method and the design constraints are implemented from BS 5950 provisions. The last part of the study focuses on performing a numerical study on steel cellular beams by utilizing finite element analysis. The finite element method has been used to simulate the experimental work by using finite element modeling to verify the test results and to investigate the nonlinear behavior of failure modes such as web-post buckling and Vierendeel bending of steel cellular beams.