Measures of Agreement Between Computation Programs and Experiment: The Case of Beams with Circular Cuts in their Webs

Abstract In the field of metal construction, cellular beams represent an attractive solution to meeting the various technical and economic constraints, especially for large-span buildings. In particular, they allow components linked to the construction to pass through their openings (ventilation ducts, electrical threads, etc.) and thus contribute to significantly reducing the thickness of the floors. However, the use of such beams requires special attention to comply with the regulations in force, in order to guarantee stability and behavior in line with the challenge of preserving the structures. This article focuses on the analysis of the measures of agreement between experiment and computation programs (strength of materials, Robot structures, and Inflexion-EF) results of the beams with circular cuts in their webs (IPE A 100), supported simply and subjected to a concentrated load. The experimental results show that the vertical displacement resulting from transverse compression is induced by various factors: length, cuts in their webs, location of the load, and stiffening of the beams. The comparison of experimental and theoretical results demonstrates the importance of experimental tests in validating theoretical results.