Energy absorption capacity of composite beams

Abstract

Local buckling may occur in the compression flange of rectangular hollow-section beams under cyclic repeated loading arising from earthquakes. Once a local mechanism forms, residual strength rapidly reduces within a few cycles. This is true even for compact sections under static bending. This paper aims to study the experimental behaviour and ultimate moment capacity of unfilled and concrete-filled rectangular hollow sections subjected to cyclic reversible loading. Two types of filler material were used-normal mix concrete and fly ash concrete. The effect of filler materials, section slenderness, loaddeflection response, moment-strain behaviour, first cycle peak load, ductility, stiffness degradation and energy absorption of concrete-filled RHS beams are studied. © 2009 Kavala Institute of Technology.