Finite element analysis on steel–concrete–steel sandwich beams

Steel–concrete–steel (SCS) sandwich composite structure with J-hook connectors has been developed and exhibited versatile potential applications in the building and offshore constructions. In this structure, J-hook connectors were used to bond the steel face plates and concrete as integrity. In this paper, finite element model (FEM) by general finite element program ABAQUS was developed to analyze the nonlinear structural behavior of the developed SCS sandwich beam structures with J-hook connectors under quasi-static loading. In this FEM, the novel J-hook connectors were simplified and simulated by cylindrical studs linked by the nonlinear spring element. The validations of the FEM cover from the component to structure level. Firstly, the simulations of the FEM on the longitudinal shear-slip and axial tension–elongation behaviors of the J-hook connectors were firstly validated against the push- and pull- out tests. Then, the FE analysis (FEA) on the structural behaviors of the SCS sandwich beams was validated against those from the beam in the references. Through these verifications, the accuracy of the FEA on the nonlinear structural behaviors of the SCS sandwich beam with J-hook connectors was confirmed.