Journal of Structural Engineering

Vol. 42, No. 1, April - May 2015 pp. 49-56 No. 42-7

Simplified approach to evaluate displacement of laced steel-concrete composite

beams for blast loads
A. Thirumalaiselvi*, N. Anandavalli*,**, J. Rajasankar*,** and Nagesh R. Iyer*
Email: selvi@serc.res.in

*Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, CSIR Campus, Taramani, Chennai 600 113, Tamil Nadu,
India.
**CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, CSIR Campus, Taramani, Chennai 600 113, Tamil Nadu, India.

Laced Steel-Concrete Composite (LSCC) system consists of perforated steel cover plates, which are connected using
reinforcing members and cross rods, and in filled with concrete. Experimentally, it has been demonstrated that LSCC
beam possess high rotational capacity, which makes it suitable to resist suddenly applied loads such as due to blast.
In this paper, LSCC beams with varying cover plate thickness subjected to blast loads have been analyzed using two
different techniques: (i) an equivalent single degree of freedom (SDOF) model using Duhamels integral and Newmark-
beta method and (ii) multiple degree of freedom (MDOF) model using finite element analysis. LSCC beam is idealized
as simply supported beam using equivalent steel beam approach. Triangular blast pressure distribution is adopted in
the study. Finite element model of LSCC beam is generated using a combination of solid, shell and beam elements.
Comparison of fundamental frequency values obtained by SDOF and MDOF analysis indicates that the idealization of
the beam as SDOF system results in a stiffer system. Maximum displacement obtained using SDOF system is found to
be less than that obtained using MDOF system.

Keywords: LSCC beam; blast; duhamels integral; newmark-beta method; equivalent steel beam;finite element analysis.

Laced Steel-Concrete Composite (LSCC) system has
been found to possess high ductility expressed by
support rotation and structural integrity1 which are
essential for structures to effectively resist suddenly
applied loads. LSCC system consists of two thin steel
cover plates connected using lacings and cross rods,
and in filled with concrete. LSCC beam has been found
to have large rotational capacity as compared to that
of laced reinforced concrete, reinforced concrete and
steel-concrete composite beams with other form of
connectors through experimental and numerical studies.
Performance of LSCC system has been numerically
demonstrated to be better than other forms of slabs in
resisting blast loads2.
This paper provides an insight into the behavior
of LSCC beams subjected to blast pressures through
Single Degree of Freedom (SDOF) and Multiple
Degree of Freedom (MDOF) analysis. LSCC beams
of varying cover plate thicknesses ranging from 2mm
to 5mm are idealized as SDOF system and analyzed
using Duhamels integral and Newmark-beta method
individually. LSCC beams are analyzed using finite
element method by idealizing them as MDOF system.
While adopting the SDOF or MDOF system (finite
element analysis), the LSCC beam is idealized into an
equivalent system which can be solved by numerical/
analytical techniques. The major difference lies in the
fact that finite element is more versatile and is applicable
to wide range of structural systems. However, a major
drawback on the finite element method is the time and
expertise involved in pre and post processing. Hence,
in this paper an attempt has been made to determine
the response of LSCC beams subjected to blast using
a simplified SDOF system. Response is also obtained
using finite element method. Finally response obtained
from both analyses is compared. It has been observed

Journal of Structural Engineering 49

Vol. 42, No. 1, APRIL - MAY 2015