Strength and Behaviour of Double-coped Steel Beams under Combined Loads

• Author / Creator

  Johnston, Graeme G

• Current design procedures for double-coped beams tend to be overly conservative and do not include considerations for axial load. The reduced strength and stability of the coped region increase the susceptibility of the connection to a local failure, and the complexity of the connection behaviour is compounded if axial load is present in addition to shear. However, this behaviour is not well understood due to a lack of research. No published research exists on the full-scale physical testing of double-coped beams.
  To address these problems, an investigation into the strength and behaviour of double-coped beams was completed by testing 29 full-scale specimens. Test specimens varied in beam depth and cope length to represent geometries found in typical structures that may be susceptible to stability issues. The specimens were subjected to a combination of shear, as well as axial loads that varied from 100 kN in tension to 300 kN in compression, and were tested at reasonable upper and lower bounds for typical beam end rotations and end-support conditions.
  Critical failure modes of the double-coped beam tests are described and the effects of the test variables on the behaviour and strength of the connections are discussed. Based on the test results, four design procedures are assessed for their ability to predict the failure mode and capacity of the connections accurately. Conclusions are made on the strength, behaviour, and ductility of double-coped beams based on the tested variables.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Combined loads
  • Axial load
  • Coped beam
  • Experimental tests
  • Steel connections
  • Double copes
  • Current design procedures

• Graduation date

  Fall 2015

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3222RB6D

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.