Numerical investigation on slim floors: comparative analysis of ASB and CoSFB typologies

Abstract

Innovative composite structures have been intensively studied towards meeting the demands of civil construction. An example of such structures is slim floor, comprised of concrete or composite slabs positioned at the height of steel beams, reducing the total height of the floor. In Brazil, studies on this system are still in early stages, and due to the lack of both experience and national normative codes, it is hardly used in civil construction. Given the possible combinations between concrete slabs and steel beams, the system exhibits different typologies. This article reports a numerical investigation on two typologies of slim floor, namely Asymmetric Slimflor Beam (ASB), composed of an asymmetric I beam, and Composite Slim-Floor Beam (CoSFB), comprised of an asymmetric beam with small openings at the top of its web. Nonlinear numerical models of ASB and CoSFB typologies were developed by Finite Element-based software ABAQUS®. The models were calibrated with the use of experimental studies from the literature, and showed high accuracy and good results. After calibration, the materials properties and geometric dimensions of the models, such as height and thickness, were standardized for a comparison of the typologies. The comparative analysis showed the particular characteristics of CoSFB promoted higher stiffness and flexural capacity compared to ASB, and a parametric analysis evaluated the influence of steel and concrete parameters on the flexural behavior of the typologies. The parametric study revealed the steel parameters exerted a more substantial influence on the slim floors behavior than the concrete ones.