Experimental and numerical parametric study on the capacity of coped beam ends

• Local web buckling of top flange coped beam end is investigated experimentally.
• A load case with support force acting on bottom flange is examined.
• The proposed simple design formula gives uniform and safe results.
• Existing coped beam models and bracket models are used for comparison.
• Numerical simulations support experimental results and are used for parameter study.

Here, the reaction force capacity of I-section steel beam ends with top flange copes was investigated experimentally and numerically, with a focus on local web buckling. An experimental test series was carried out on unstiffened top coped beam ends that were subjected to reaction forces under the bottom flange. Experimental results are given for beam ends with five sizes of cope and for a reference beam without a cope. The investigated beam section was a standard IPE 300 in steel grade S355. The test results were compared with existing design models for coped beams and with models primarily developed for triangular stiffener brackets. A new design formula is proposed for top coped beams supported at the bottom flange, which allows the capacity to be determined as a function of capacity of uncoped beam end with a reduction based on the size of the cope. Finite element models were verified against the experiments and used to extend the experimental data and investigate parameters affecting the web buckling resistance, such as web slenderness and the restraints provided by connection devices.