Serrated Steel Beam Shear Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional composite beams and joists face inefficiencies in transferring horizontal shear forces between the concrete slab and steel members, relying on shear connectors like headed anchor studs, which may not effectively distribute loads and lead to structural instability.
Innovation Solution
A serrated top flange is encased in the concrete slab, with serrations that facilitate the transfer of horizontal shear forces between the steel member and the concrete slab, enabling composite action and improved load distribution through serrated geometry that aligns with the concrete's strain patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If headed anchor studs are used to transfer horizontal shear forces, then composite action between steel beam and concrete slab is achieved, but the load distribution is inefficient and structural instability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the shear transfer function from separate headed anchor studs and integrates it directly into the steel beam's top flange through serrations. This eliminates the need for additional welded studs while maintaining composite action, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The serrations merge the shear transfer function with the beam's flange structure itself. The serrated geometry is formed as an integral part of the top flange, combining the load-bearing flange and shear transfer mechanism into a single unified component, improving load distribution efficiency.
2Productivity
If conventional shear connectors are used, then composite action is achieved, but load distribution is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The serrations create localized interlocking features at specific positions along the beam's top flange. These localized geometries are strategically positioned to optimize shear force transfer at critical locations, improving load distribution efficiency while maintaining overall structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The serrations feature curved or rounded geometries rather than sharp angular shapes. This curvature allows for more gradual stress distribution and reduces stress concentration points, thereby improving both load distribution efficiency and structural reliability simultaneously.
3Reliability
If a serrated top flange is used to transfer shear forces, then composite action is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The top flange is segmented into multiple serrated sections rather than a continuous solid structure. This segmentation allows the complex geometry to be broken down into manageable segments that can be fabricated using standard rolling or cutting processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining composite action.
Solution Approach 2:
The serration geometry parameters (depth, spacing, angle) can be adjusted to optimize the balance between composite action performance and manufacturability. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design achieves improved reliability while remaining compatible with conventional fabrication capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A structural member section comprised of horizontal top and bottom flange elements interconnected by one or more vertical web member. The top flange of the member is serrated such that a series of serrations protrude horizontally in at least one direction from a top of the one or more vertical web member or are cut-out from the flange of a rolled shape. In one embodiment, the serrated top flange and at least a portion of the web member are intended to be encased by a horizontal concrete slab or slab-on-deck assembly. The slab material is capable of encasing all exposed surfaces of and curing around each serration to transfer horizontal shear forces between the serrated top flange and the slab material such that the member and slab behave compositely.