Experimental study on steel beams curved in plan

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the ultimate load behavior of I-beams curved in plan. Results obtained from experiments on two sets of I-beams (one comprising rolled sections and the other built-up sections) are presented. The test results for deformations and ultimate strength are found to be in good agreement with the corresponding values predicted by using the elastoplastic finite-element analysis. The effects of residual stresses and radius of curvature to span-length ratio (R/L) on ultimate strength are considered. Each beam was subjected to a concentrated load applied at an intermediate point where the beam was laterally restrained. Test results indicate that the load-carrying capacity decreases with the decrease in the R/L ratio.