Flexural Performance Evaluation of Novel Wide Long-Span Composite Beams Used to Construct Lower Parking Structures

Efficient parking structures are urgently required in Korea. The design of parking structures more than 8 m in height is difficult because both fire and seismic resistance must be considered. Existing designs are uneconomical and conservative. However, the design of parking structures less than 8 m in height is relatively simple and there are few restrictions to the construction. It is essential to optimize the design of parking structures less than 8 m in height. Here, we describe novel wide long-span composite beams that reduce the story height of low parking structures. The flexural capacity of seven of the beams was evaluated; all beams were loaded at two points prior to monotonic bending tests. We also performed finite element analysis (FEA) based on the material properties of the test specimens, and compared the results to those of the structural tests. The flexural strength of the wide composite steel beams increased by approximately 20% as the steel thickness rose by 3 mm, from 6 to 9 mm. The rebar shape (triangular or rectangular) did not affect flexural strength. The flexural strength of beams without rebar was 10% less than that of beams with rebar. The FEA and test results were in good agreement. The section plastic moments were free from global and local instability.