Numerical and experimental evaluation of a double inverted trussed beam reinforced with steel cable

• It is an arrangement that generates a system lightweight, easy to handle, stronger and stiffer than a simple beam.
• Easy to be mounted and transported.
• Indicated to be used in formwork systems.
• If compared with simple beam, its resistance and stiffness increase 43% and 97%, respectively.

A special type of queen-post truss was evaluated numerically and experimentally. The system consists of a main beam with a double rectangular cross section, into which are fitted two struts that are connected to steel cables anchored to transverse steel dowels embedded at the ends of the main beam. The system, which can be used as a support for concrete formwork, for structural rehabilitation and for numerous other applications, is lightweight, easy to handle, and stronger and stiffer than a simple beam. From experimental study, on average, beams are 97% stronger than ones without cable reinforcement, and the gain in stiffness was 43%. The numerical model was analyzed via the finite element method.