Influence of Repetitive Loading on the Behavior of a Composite Portal Frame Encased

in Mild Steel

Sheeba Ebenezer J1, Tensing D2, Vincent Sam Jebadurai S3

1
Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering Salalah College of Technology, UTAS,
Salalah, Sultanate of Oman.
2
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Karunya Institute of Technology and
Sciences, Coimbatore, India.
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Karunya Institute of Technology
and Sciences, Coimbatore, India.

Abstract

This study discusses a mild steel-encased portal frame that employs shear connections
inside the specimen to increase flexibility and final weight bearing capability. The final
weight-bearing capability of the concrete-filled mild steel tube (CFT) entrance structure was
determined experimentally. During the horizontal cycle stress testing of the portal structure,
an axial force was applied. The material used was 1.2-mm-thick galvanized iron steel plate
that came in different widths. The concrete used was M25-grade. The examples have shear
connections with spacing variants of 75mm, 100mm, and 125mm, and they were evaluated at
a pace of 0.1 tons per cycle. All of the animals' loads versus axial elongation were
investigated. In comparison to standard concrete, it was observed that CFT supports had
greater starting rigidity, flexibility factor, and final weight bearing capability. The software
utility was used to compare the empirically found maximum weights with the matching
theoretical values. Shear connections can greatly improve the specimen's total strength and
load-carrying capability.

Keywords: Mild steel encased portal frame, Shear connectors, Ductility, Hysteresis curve.

1. Introduction

Concrete is useful for building because it can be moulded when it is still fresh. The
features of building materials include low tensile strength, elasticity, volume instability, a low
tensile strength-to-weight ratio, and break resistance. Previous tremors all over the world
have shown the detrimental effects of shoddy RC beam-column couplings on buildings with
RC moment-carrying frameworks. Beam-column links endure seismic duress as crucial

1
building components. Intense aftershocks might harm it. For reinforced concrete buildings,
beam-column connections are crucial. Because of the earth's shaking, it is under tremendous
stress. The CFT needs tension connectors to work correctly. high-strength hexagonal
concrete-filled steel tube (CFT) girder supports. Cycle hysteresis formulations for CFT steel
and concrete fibres and uniaxial stress-strain graphs are used to gauge the accuracy of fiber-
based models. With stronger links, square CFST columns exhibit a constrictive behaviour
comparable to that of circular ones. One can examine the seismic behaviour of concrete-filled
steel tube frames with RC shear walls in high-rise mixed structures to study the safety of
CFST frames with RC shear walls during earthquakes and evaluate mixed buildings with
CFST columns under various real-earthquake data.

The lengthwise strain on the composite construction and the height-to-width ratio of
the RC fracture wall were measured. With increasing vertical weight or the height-to-width
ratio, material stiffness and energy waste decreased. The weight capability of composite
columns decreased as concrete strength increased and as the length-to-diameter ratio
increased. The ultimate strengths and axial ductility performance of CFST columns are
reduced as the tube diameter-to-thickness ratio rises, whereas the ultimate axial loads are
proportionally increased but the section and axial ductility performance of CFST columns are
decreased as the concrete compressive strength rises. A towering structure is supported by
cylindrical cylinders packed with concrete.

The CFST frame design showed lateral rigidity to resist lateral force after partly
reaching the plastic stage in a pushover number illustration. Static pushover and dynamic
time history experiments were conducted on three, five, and ten-tale models, respectively.
CFST columns are stronger, more pliable, and more energy-absorbing than RC columns.
Axial pressure, axial limitation, rotary control at component ends, properties of the metal
substance, and concrete infill Due to technological developments in materials, fully enclosed
stainless steel members demand 1.8 times more energy than roughly equivalent steel
members. Despite having a small beam cross section, the CFT construction can sustain a lot
of weight. With a higher concrete grade, beam variation drops by 10 to 15%. With increasing
concrete grade, deformation decreases; however, for higher grades of concrete, the decrease
in deformation is less and stress concentration is greater at the edges of the square column,
whereas in the circular column, stress concentration is equal throughout the section due to the
confining effect.

2
 Thin-walled CFST beams of equivalent bending rigidity and similar earthquake
circumstances can improve the failure margin for more than 60% of high-rise SMRFs.
Concrete frames with steel casing and different flex joint spacings are employed for this
project. In the same way that steel-clad structures are malleable, joints should be. Despite
their innovative nature, the focus of this study has been on supports and beams that are steel-
encased. Many experts have found that steel-enclosed supports and columns are more robust
and have a higher weight capacity than RCC. Theoretical and practical study of steel-
enclosed column and beam structures has not been very extensive. This research examined
the interaction between a steel-encased column and beam in view of the fact that the "Beam-
Column Joint" is the most important component of the construction and will fracture under
seismic stress.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Material Properties

According to IS456:2000 and IS10262:2009, the slump of the concrete was kept at
200mm so that it could flow easily into the mould. As shear connectors, mild steel rods with
a 6mm diameter and 150 mm length, a density of 7850kg/m 3, and a yield strength of
250N/mm2 were used. By joining the concrete and the steel tube, these rods increased the
frame's ability to bend. All of the steel used for this study was mild steel. The steel plate was
only 1.2 mm thick. This was done to reduce the amount of steel used and make the specimen
a thin-walled structure.

The steel casing was first bent into a C shape so that one face of the specimen was
open. This was done so that it would be easier to weld the internal shear rods in place. Once
the shear rods were in place, a rod was put in the beam, with the development length of it
going into the columns. Then, the open face was closed by welding a steel plate to it. This
steel plate was also connected to the inner shear rods by welding. The edges of the steel plate
were fully welded together to make sure it was as strong as possible and to stop concrete
slurry from spilling out while it was being filled. The only part of the specimen that was open
was the bottom surface of the columns. This opening was used to fill the specimen with
concrete and let the concrete cure. Mild steel plate with a thickness of 1.2 mm and different
lengths was used. This plate held the concrete infill in place, which increased the load-
carrying capacity.

3
 (a) (b)

Fig 1. Fabrication of the structures (a) Bent mild steel sheets , (b) Column Bottom
opening

Materials Description/ values

Grade designation M25 concrete

Type of cement OPC 53 grade

Maximum Nominal size of aggregate- 20mm

Minimum cement content 300kg/m3

Maximum water cement ratio 0.50

Workability 75- 100mm

Specific gravity of cement 3.15

Specific gravity of Coarse aggregate 2.74

Specific gravity of Fine aggregate 2.68 (M sand)

Mild steel rods as shear connectors (6mm diameter and 150mm length)

Density 7850kg/m3

Yield strength 250N/mm2

Mild steel plate of 1.2mm thickness

4
 Density 7800kg/m3

Yield strength 250N/mm2

2.2 Test Specimen

To study the behaviour of the frames, a set of three portal frame sections was filled with
concrete and subjected to static cycle pressure. Each of the three frames measured 1.1 metres
in height, 1.15 metres in breadth, and had a 150 mm x 150 mm rectangular surface (Fig 1).
The empty structure was filled with grade M25 concrete, and the exposed surfaces were
given a 28-day curing period.

(a) (b)

Fig 3. Fabrication of Specimen (a) Concrete poured into specimen, (b) Curing of
specimen

As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the specimen was held upside-down while the concrete was
poured, the enclosure was angled, and it was physically agitated to aid in the correct
compaction of the concrete, along with routine tamping with a 16-mm rod. After the
examples were made, the concrete's exposed sides were routinely hardened up until the 28th
day to guarantee strength growth during this time.

5
 Fig 5. General Schematic Diagram of portal frame (all units in mm)

The spacing and number of shear connectors in the portal frame were chosen to be
studied. Other parameters, such as beam size, beam width, column height, column size, shell
thickness, steel rod section, and concrete quality, stayed the same throughout the research.
The names of the portal frames were SP-75, SP-100, and SP-125. The distance between the
shear connectors on the SP-75 was 75mm, on the SP-100 it was 100mm, and on the SP-125 it
was 125mm. These shear connectors were welded inside the frame section so that they
connected two opposite faces of the square section. The loading frame was designed using
IS-800:2007, and two mild steel base plates were made according to the design.

(a) (b)

Fig 6. The Different images of base plate (a) Front base plate (b) Rear base plate

6
To allow for any potential mistakes that the prototype may have had, these base plates had 20
mm of space in both directions. Additionally, 16mm-diameter apertures 50mm from the base
were drilled so that they lined up with the perforations in the supports. To allow for the space
for the specimen's perforations, the apertures on the "cup" had to be enlarged to a
circumference of 31mm (Figs. 6 and 7). The horizontal fasteners could be positioned better
and more easily as a result.

3. Experimental Test Setup

The experiment was set up in such a manner (shown in Fig. 8) that the displacement could be
detected on both the upper surface of the specimen column as well as the centre surface of the
specimen column.

Fig 8. The General Test Setup of the Specimen

All of the samples were put through tests on a 50T cyclic loading frame (Fig. 4) to see
how they behaved under static cyclic loading. A hydraulic jack with a load cell was used
to put the load on the beam-column joint and measure the deflection. At a rate of about
0.1 tonne per cycle, the load was put on. With a loading gap of 1 kN, each loading was
done three times, for a total of 10 loading cycles per specimen. Two LVDTs were put on
the sample at the same time. One was put in the middle of the top edge (LVDT 1), and the
other was put in the middle of the column (LVDT 2). These were used to keep track of
how much each load bowed. Only the readings from LVDT-1 were used, and LVDT-2

7
 was only used as a control. 3.3.2. Details about the sample. Three samples and a "bare
frame" sample were cast and then tested.

The way the loads were given was static, since they weren't based on how much time
had passed. The test was done with the load controlled, which means that the deflection
was watched for a given load. Each specimen was loaded at a rate of +/-0.1 tonnes per
cycle, and the loading frame could hold up to 50 tonnes of weight. At the start of the
experiment, all the connections were made, and the sample was attached to the base plate.
This stopped any movement upward.

Table 1 The Specimen Specification

No. of
Spacing of Studs Specimen ID
Specimens

- Bare frame 1

75mm SP-75 1

100mm SP-100 1

25mm SP-125 1

4.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The hysteresis curve for the naked frame can be seen in figure 4.1.a, for the SP-75 in
figure 4.1.b, for the SP-100 in figure 4.1.c, and for the SP-125 in figure 4.1.d. The horizontal
weight displacement hysteresis graphs for all of the examples are shown here. At first, the
hysteresis curves were made up of a straight line, which shows how the sample curve looks
after it has been changed by elasticity. This was the case from the very beginning. After being
displayed to the regions of this loop, a progressive increase occurs, producing a straight
formation; however, some lingering deformations can be seen after the scene has been
unloaded. When the highest value is reached, the expanded weights drop by a significant
amount while the horizontal displacements reach a high point, indicating that the material has
a high degree of flexibility. In the end, when the hysteresis curves are smoothed out, it is

8
determined that all of the examples had satisfactory performance and that there was no
significant squeezing.

Fig 4.1 a: Bare frame Hysteresis curve

Fig 4.2 b: SP-75 Hysteresis curve

9
 Fig 4.1 c: SP-100 Hysteresis curve

Fig 4.1 d: SP-125 Hysteresis curve

Table 2. The Load and Deflection was observed from the Testing.

10
 Based on the data presented in Table 2, it can be seen that the weight-carrying
capabilities of the three examples, including SP-75, SP-100, and SP-125, are greater than
those of the naked frame. In a nutshell, the one that had the highest maximal measured
weight of 15 kilos was the SP-75 when compared to the naked frame. SP-75 has increased
its overall effectiveness by 36.36 percent. In a similar manner, the respective values for
SP-100 and SP-125 are 27.27% and 18.18%.

Figure 5a depicts the highest load that was measured along with the
proportional increase in weight compared to the empty frame. Additionally, the highest
measured displacement is displayed in figure 5b, along with the percentage decrease. The
amount of energy that is wasted by the samples is the primary criterion that is used in the
process of determining the earthquake behavior, which is defined as an abrupt movement.
Because plastic hinges have been developed, examples SP-100 and SP-125 have an
increased potential for wasting energy after they have yielded. This is a direct result of the
plastic hinges. The capabilities for dissipating energy of both the naked frame and the SP-
75 were shown to be quite low in table 3 and figure 6.

Table 3. The Maximum load observed with various Deflection of the Specimen

Deflection
Maximum Load increase in Maximum
Spacing Assigned decreases in %
observed Load % compared to observed
of studs Name compared to
(kN) bare frame Deflection (mm)
bare frame

Bare 11 - 46.67
- -
frame

75mm SP-75 15 36.36 35.02 24.96

100mm SP-100 14 27.27 28 40

125mm SP-125 13 18.18 38.99 16.45

11
 Fig 5 a: Maximum Load and percentage increment

Fig 5 b: Maximum Deflection and percentage decrement

Table 4. Area under the Curve

12
 Spacing of studs Assigned Name Area Under the Curve (mm2)

- Bare frame 428.47

75mm SP-75 532.14

100mm SP-100 775.91

125mm SP-125 727.88

Fig 6. The Area under the Curve of Assigned name of the Specimens.

Backbone curves show how important horizontal load and flexibility are. It shows that
both the flexibility and the transverse pressures have gone up since the last time. Concerning
the negative pressures, we can see in Fig. 7 that the area under each curve grows in increasing
order. This demonstrates that the fact that the shear connection separation should be
decreased results in an increase in the flexibility of the specimen. As a result, one could even
say that an increase in the distance between the fracture connectors causes the material to
become more fragile. It is possible to draw the conclusion that the shear connection
separation of 75 millimeters takes on more weight and experiences significantly more
displacement. Because of this, it is abundantly obvious that the eventual weight carrying

13
capacity rises in direct proportion to the degree to which the distance between shear
connections is reduced.

Fig 7 Comparison of backbone curves of bare frame, SP-75, SP-100 & SP-125

Backbone curves are a reflection of the significance of horizontal expanded weight as

well as the flexibility characteristics of the material. This demonstrates an improvement in the
flexibility and horizontal stresses of the material. In Figure 7, when looking at the
consideration of the negative weights, the sequence of the area under each curve is
increasing. This demonstrates that there is a correlation between the decrease in stress
connection separation and an increase in the flexibility of the samples. If the distance
between the fracture connectors is increased, the sample will become more fragile. It is
possible to draw the conclusion that the separation of shear connections, which is 75
millimeters apart, anticipates more weight with more displacement. As a consequence of this,
it is said that the distance between the shear connectors begins to widen when the eventual
weight-carrying capacity begins to decrease.

Failure Mode in Deflection

14
 The surface of the specimen's naked frame has concrete that has been fractured, as
shown in Figure 8a. As can be seen in Figure 8a, the majority of the cracking in the concrete
is occurring in one particular location on the specimen. The location of fractures that can be
seen at the junction between the beam and the column for SP-75 is indicated by the red circle
in Figure 8b. After the test, the beam-column junction moved into the region depicted inside
the red circle in Figure 8c. This is the location where the slide occurred. A fracture can be
seen developing in the specimen SP-125 shown in Figure 8d, just below the junction that
connects the beam and the column. Following the completion of all of the tests, an opening
was made in the steel conduit so that the face of the inner concrete could be inspected.

According to what we can see, the concrete has experienced a great deal of tensile
failure, but other than that, it does not appear to have sustained any significant damage. In the
vast majority of cases, the shear connections located inside a CFST tube do not work properly
because either the concrete or the shear connector does not work properly. It is simple to see
that when the negative pressures are applied, the area under each curve increases, which
demonstrates that the material is more malleable when the shear link separation is reduced.
This was proven by the fact that the area under each curve increased. Therefore, you could
even say that as the distance between the tension connections increases, the object becomes
more vulnerable as a result of this.

15
 Fig 8. Failure of various structures (a) Failure of bare frame (b) Failure of SP-75 (c) Failure
of SP-100 (d) Failure of SP-125

4. CONCLUSIONS

Columns and supports in hybrid frames made of steel tubing and concrete showed that
they were very flexible. As the spacing between shear connectors reduces, the ultimate load
bearing capacity improves owing to the increased confinement effect, and the improvement
in ductility is evidenced by the presence of a broad plateau in the load deflection curves
obtained for specimens with varying spacings of shear studs. All of the feedback loops don't
have a pressing effect, which is why the steel frame was able to keep the gas inside. Load
cells and LVDTs showed that the part still held weight after the crushed concrete damaged its
internal structure. The encasing keeps the concrete from falling apart, which can make it safer
for people to leave. Some experts think that the steel's ability to hold things together
improves its ability to hold weight in the end. From this, we can figure out that a 75mm shear
connection gap takes a lot more weight and, as a result, a lot more movement. To improve the
final weight-bearing capacity, the space between shear links needs to be shortened. The big
peak in the load displacement curves for the cases with different spacing between the shear
studs shows that flexibility increases as the spacing between the shear connections gets
smaller.

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