Experimental tests and numerical modeling of cellular beams with sinusoidal openings

New type of cellular beams with sinusoidal shape of openings shows a specific behavior in comparison with the standard circular openings. Full scale tests were realized on three beams representing various dimensions of the openings. The aim was to observe the failure modes of these beams and to obtain the ultimate values of strength. The specimens were heavily gauged to clearly identify the local failure modes of the opening zone. Two specific failure modes were observed. For the opening with large height, the failure is reached by the formation of four plastic hinges at the corners of the critical section (Vierendeel bending). This mode is similar to that of the rectangular opening. Whereas with the small opening, failure arises by the local instability of the compressed out stand panel in the sinusoidal parts of the opening. A numerical model is developed and calibrated on the basis of the experimental results. The numerical model is used to analyze with more details the behavior of the critical opening including the stress distribution in its different parts. The experimental results provided useful qualitative and quantitative information to understand the behavior of the cellular beams with sinusoidal openings. The numerical model showed a good accuracy in the prediction of the experimental results. It can be used as a tool to generate complementary results to develop an analytical model.

► Experimental results of three full scale sinusoidal cellular beams are presented.
► Two failure modes are observed: plastic hinges and local buckling.
► Numerical model is validated through the experimental results.
► The model is used to analyze the evolution of local failures around the openings.