Ultimate Strength Behaviour of Steel-Concrete-Steel Sandwich Composite Beams and Shells.

Abstract

The aim of this research is to develop a type of steel-concrete-steel (SCS) sandwich shell structures to be used as ice-resistant walls for Arctic offshore structure. The main concern is the ultimate strength of the sandwich shell under localized ice contact pressure. In order to serve this main aim, innovative study on novel shear connectors for the SCS sandwich structure was carried out. Strengths of the basic component of SCS sandwich composite structure-shear connectors were extensively studied by experimental and finite element (FE) methods. Formulae on strengths of the shear connectors were developed for the prediction and design purposes. Three or four point bending tests were performed to obtain more information on ultimate strength behaviors of SCS sandwich beams. Analytical method and three dimensional FE model were developed to predict the ultimate strength of these sandwich beams. Punching shear strength of the SCS sandwich composite shell structures were experimentally studied. Moreover, design method on punching shear strength of the SCS sandwich composite shells were developed.