Mechanical Performance of Box Section Steel Beams under Damaged Conditions based on Finite Element Analysis

Jie Xiang; Ziwei Wu; Hao Li

doi:10.6919/ICJE.202507_11(7).0010

Authors

Jie Xiang
Ziwei Wu
Hao Li

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6919/ICJE.202507_11(7).0010

Keywords:

Box Section Steel Beam; Damage; Finite Element; Mechanical Properties; Safety Assessment.

Abstract

This study systematically investigates the degradation patterns of mechanical performance in box-section steel beams under damaged conditions using finite element analysis. A refined finite element model was developed on the ABAQUS platform, incorporating material nonlinearity, geometric nonlinearity, initial imperfections, and residual strains. Damage scenarios were simulated through a material reassignment approach. Particular emphasis was placed on examining the influence of flange width, section height, and beam span on the load-bearing capacity of the steel beams. The results indicate that structural damage leads to stress redistribution, reduces the ultimate load-carrying capacity, and may trigger local instability or brittle fracture. Increasing the flange width or section height enhances the ultimate load-bearing capacity of damaged box-section steel beams, whereas an increase in beam span results in a decline in their load-carrying capacity. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the safety evaluation and retrofit design of existing steel structures.

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