CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

Demand for steel structures is increasing dramatically especially in construction

industry in Malaysia. A number of new structural and fabrication technology has been
developed to optimize the efficient use of steel in construction. One of the new
developments in steel structures is the introduction of trapezoidal web I-beam.

Trapezoid Corrugated web beam (TCWB) steel section is a built-up section

comprised of two flanges connected together to thin corrugated web usually between 3
mm to 8 mm thick by a fillet weld. This fillet web is strong enough to hold the web and
the flange together. The web is corrugated at an angle of 45 degree and welded to the two
flanges using automated welding machine. The web and the flanges comprised of
different steel grade depending on the design requirements. TCWB section is also
classified as a hybrid steel section with two different types of steel grade was used to
 2

form the section. The steel grade of the flanges is designed for S355 and the steel grade
of the web is designed for S275.The flanges are purposely designed for S355 for
maximum flexural resistance and the web is designed for S275 so as to reduce the cost of
steel material. The shear capacity and bearing capacity are usually not that critical in the
design of the beam as the web is corrugated. The shape of trapezoid web is designed to
accommodate shear forces and to increase the crushing and buckling resistance of the
TCWB web (Mahmood et al. 2008).

Corrugation web in trapezoidal form increases the stability against buckling and
can result in very economical designs. Ordinarily, the economic design of steel web I-
beam requires thin web. To eliminate the risk of using thicker web of the beam, web
stiffeners, it is useful by making the web in trapezoidal form is needed for the purpose of
strengthening the web. When beams with corrugated webs are compared with those with
stiffened flat webs, it can be found that trapezoidal corrugation in the web enables the use
of thinner webs and trapezoidal web beams eliminate costly web stiffeners (Fong, 2006).

Previous research done by Robert and Heywood (1994) weight of plate beam with
corrugated web can be 30 % less than the weight of plate beam with flat web with the
same static capacity. Besides, by using corrugated web of the beam will increase lateral
torsion buckling resistance.
 3

1.2 Problem Statement

Studies on the TCWB had been carried out by the previous researcher. A report
on the construction of Maupre Viaduct Bridge in France involving the use of trapezoidal
corrugated web girder in construction methods, show that due to the weight savings
larger clear span could be achieved and producing a cost saving of about 30 %. Beside
that, uses of corrugated web section will increase lateral stiffness of the beam, thus
minimize lateral-torsional buckling requirements. However in this study it is important to
investigate the effect of the pure torsion due to the different type of TCWB steel Profile
like Spandek and Trimdek compare to Flat web steel Profile.

1.3 Objective of Study

The main objectives of this project concern Finite Element Analysis which a:
i. To study the behavior of beam section subjected to pure torsion.
ii. To determine the buckling load of the Flat web and TCWB.
iii. To compare the effect of different type of trapezoidal corrugated web section like
Flat web, Spandek and Trimdek due to buckling mode.
 4

1.4 Scope Of Study

The scope of study covers the theoretical investigation of the TCWB subjected to
pure torsion by performed Linear Analysis and Linear Buckling Analysis (Eigenvalue).
The study is focus on the effect of the different type of the TCWB profile such as
Spandek and Trimdek compare to conventional web profile. These projects only use
LUSAS 14 finite element software whereas it’s involved with simulation and numerical
analysis.

1.5 Significant Of Study

In Malaysia, the usage of the trapezoidal corrugated web section of beam is not
widely used compare to Flat Web of beam. This is because this section is quite
complicated to fabricate due to its trapezoid web shape which means that the need to use
the state of the art machine. As a result, the initial production of Trapezoidal corrugated
of web section is quite expensive. Moreover, the only one company produces trapezoidal
corrugated web section are produced by Trapezoidal Web Profile Sdn Bhd based in Pasir
Gudang. However the potential of development of usage Trapezoidal corrugated web
section of beam in industry will extremely increase because the increment the price of
material likes steel in the market.
 5

Therefore, we must investigate Trapezoidal corrugated web section of beam

properties and its behavior due pure torsion and to compare different type of Trapezoidal
Corrugated web of beam like Spandek and Trimdek by using LUSAS. In this study we
only used local product dimension and properties, because of that; we can determine
performance, advantages and disadvantage to be used as the corrugated web section
material. All the information obtains from analysis can be compared with the other
previous researcher which is from other country.