This paper presents the flexural cyclic behavior of I-shaped hot rolled steel deep sections used as beams in moment-resisting frames (MRF) featuring a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) patch on the web through advanced finite element analysis. The main goal of the CFRP reinforcement is to increase the rotation capacity of the member without increasing the overstrength to avoid compromising the strong column-weak beam condition in MRF. A reduced finite element model of a steel beam is developed and validated with experimental data. The CFRP patch is modeled considering fracture in the adhesive layer using the cohesive zone modeling (CZM) technique that can capture the crack initiation and propagation. Different adhesive types are investigated where the CZM parameters are calibrated from high fidelity fracture mechanics tests that are thoroughly validated in the literature. This includes a rigid adhesive commonly found in the construction industry and two tough adhesives used in the automotive industry. The results revealed that the CFRP patch can increase the rotation capacity of a steel member considerably when using tough adhesives.

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The use of the brittle adhesives commonly adopted in construction industry do not provide the best performance for steel structures. CFRP/Steel joint bonded with extremely tough adhesive achieve much higher strength and ductility. However, tough adhesives are not developed for the construction industry and their cost may question the feasibility of this repair solution. This paper presents a new high performance and cost-effective hybrid bi-adhesive CFRP/Steel joint by using an extremely tough adhesive in critical location and the brittle adhesive in the remaining areas of the adhesive layer. The role of the tough adhesive in the proposed joint is fundamentally different from previous bi-adhesive joint proposed in the literature as it contributes mainly in shear. Experimental testing and finite element analysis are conducted. The Digital image correlation (DIC) is used to measure the strain field on the CFRP. The results revealed that the proposed CFRP/Steel hybrid joint achieve higher strength than the joints with brittle adhesive. The use of the tough adhesive in the bi-adhesive joint reduces the concentration of shear stresses significantly. As little quantities of the tough adhesive are required to manufacture the proposed bi-adhesive joint, it deemed to be as cost-effective.

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This paper presents an extensive experimental and numerical study on the behavior of CFRP/Steel adhesively bonded double strap joints (DSJ). A total of 50 DSJ specimens were tested under static tensile loading. The digital image correlation (DIC) was used to measure the backface deformation. A total of six adhesives that feature different stiffness, strength, ductility, and toughness were analyzed. A parametric study including several variants was carried out. The influencing parameters considered are the following: the adhesive type, adhesive thickness, CFRP elastic modulus, CFRP length, surface treatment, and steel thickness. The results revealed that rigid adhesives commonly used in the construction industry do not provide the best performance for the CFRP/steel joints, instead, tough adhesives which combine high strength and ductility are more suitable for strengthening metallic infrastructures. Steel plastic yielding has a significant influence on the strength, behavior, and failure modes of the CFRP/steel adhesive joint. A numerical model validated with experimental data was developed in ABAQUS. The experimental observations including failure modes, joint strengths, and ductility were discussed using the numerical model. The joint strength efficiency is highly recommended as a design criterion for bonded joints.@en

Purpose: In the last decades, the demand and use of renewable energies have been increasing. The increase in renewable energies, particularly wind energy, leads to the development and innovation of powerful wind energy converters as well as increased production requirements. Hence, a higher supporting structure is required to achieve higher wind speed with less turbulence. To date, the onshore wind towers with tubular connections are the most used. The maximum diameter of this type of tower is limited by transportation logistics. The purpose of this paper is to propose an alternative wind turbine lattice structure based on half-pipe steel connections. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, a new concept of steel hybrid tower has been proposed. The focus of this work is the development of a lattice structure. Therefore, the geometry of the lattice part of the tower is assessed to decrease the number of joints and bolts. The sections used in the lattice structure are constructed in a polygonal shape. The elements are obtained by cold forming and bolted along the length. The members are connected by gusset plates and preloaded bolts. A numerical investigation of joints is carried out using the finite element (FE) software ABAQUS. Findings: Based on the proposed study, the six “legs” solution with K braces under 45° angle and height/spread ratio of 4/1 and 5/1 provides the most suitable balance between the weight of the supporting structure, number of bolts in joints and reaction forces in the foundations, when compared with four “legs” solution. Originality/value: In this investigation, the failure modes of elements and joints of an alternative wind turbine lattice structures, as well as the rotation stiffness of the joints, are determined. The FE results show good agreement with the analytical calculation proposed by EC3-1-8 standard.@en