Experimental and Analytical Investigation of Open Web Steel Beam Under Non-uniform Bending

Open web steel beams are lightweight and economical flexural members designed for transverse as well as lateral loadings. Despite the fact that it is frequently utilised due to its multiple benefits, its behaviour remains unclear. This study focuses on the failure mechanism and the effect of different parameters on the capacity of an open web steel beam under non-uniform bending. Theoretical, experimental, and analytical studies were performed under a single point load applied at the centre of the span in order to study the behaviour of open web steel beams. A total of fifty nonlinear finite element (FE) models were analysed using the ABAQUS software package, and the behaviour of some models was verified experimentally. The local slenderness ratios distinguish different FE models. Results show similar types of failure patterns and load versus deflection graphs were obtained by analytical as well as experimental investigation, demonstrating a strong correlation between experimental and FE modelling. Along with the global behaviour, a different element of the member undergoing the local failure was noticed. The study examines the reasons for the various failure patterns and offers solutions based on observed behaviour patterns. Results conclude that an open web steel beam resolves one of the fundamental problems of lateral torsional buckling in slender flexural members.