Statics and stability of diagonalless beams of particular kind – preliminary studies

Attractive large-scale glazing is currently an architectural trend. However, achieving adequate stiffness for larger glazing spans requires the use of complex cross-sections, generally aluminium sections of considerable height. Members with openwork webs are sometimes used in order to achieve increased load-bearing capacity and stiffness with reduced weight. The disadvantage is that this solution takes up a lot of space inside the building. A recently patented diagonalless member attempts to solve the above-mentioned problems. The member is fully demountable and allows glass units to be installed in the space between the chords. It consists of two chords spaced apart by metal sleeves with bolts passed through them. In this study, preliminary qualitative experimental tests were carried out to determine the behaviour of the member under load and to identify zones sensitive to local deformation. On this basis, numerical models (bar and 3D solid models, including contact interactions) were created and tested. Subsequently, the optimum sleeve spacing was determined, the effect of rotational and translational stiffness reduction at the nodes was investigated, and stress concentration zones and forms of stability loss were identified. A new form of local loss of stability of the chord facewall was identified, the so-called sliding push effect of the chord walls on the sleeve (within the larger openings). This is a completely different type of chord facewall failure from that found in known tubular welded joints. The research programme focused on identifying the phenomena occurring in the new member in order to provide a basis for further, more advanced analyses.