Seminar - David Cao - Connections for LiteSteel Beams

Wednesday, April 6, 2005, 1.10 - 1.50 pm
Civil Engineering Lecture Room 3

Abstract

LiteSteel Beam (LSB), previously called hollow flange channel, is an innovative structural section developed by Smorgon Steel Tube Mills. The section is manufactured using the patented “Duel Resistance Welding (DRW)” technique and from a base steel with a yield stress of 380 MPa. The unique shape of LSB, unlike conventional channels, provides high torsional rigidity which significantly improves the stability and load carrying capacity of flexural members. However, it also experiences some unique failure modes that are not considered in the current design standards. It is therefore essential to conduct research to optimise the design of LSB. Such research is conducted in Queensland University of Technology and The University of Sydney. In The University of Sydney, Dr. Tim Wilkinson was granted an ARC linkage project “Structural Systems with Hollow Flange Sections in Cold-Formed Steel” which will investigate the bearing capacity, connections, compression capacity of the LSB. The PhD project of the presenter, LSB Connections, forms part of this project and will investigate the connections of LSB.

As an introduction of the project, this seminar will introduce the background of the project, development and basic properties of the product (hollow flange sections and LSB). It will also describe briefly the connection types that will be investigated in the project – flexible connections (web side plate) and moment connections (moment end plate). For each type of connection, design of different connectors will be considered. More broadly, this seminar will provide some basic information of possible non-structural connections that will be investigated later in the project. A review of the project to date will be provided and possible short term development will be reported.