Structural Engineering

Development of a new composite cellular

beam
Mr Olivier Vassart and Mr Louis-Guy Cajot, from
ArcelorMittal R&D Long Carbon, Esch/Alzette,
Luxembourg, Mr Jean-Pierre Muzeau and Mr Hamid
Bouchar, from Blaise Pascal University, Clermont Ferrand,
France, describe the development of an award-winning
structural element. Fig 2: New shape ANGELINA.

INTRODUCTION The oxycutting is performed through a HD400 x 187 profile.

A lot of research projects have been undertaken by
ArcelorMittal, in the area of Cellular Beam Design. These
have led to the creation of new design methods and user-
friendly design software [1-15].
Not long ago, the famous Paris-based architect Mr Claude
Vasconi requested ArcelorMittal for assistance in designing a
more architectural and sensual cellular beam that would be
characterised by larger, eye-shaped openings.
This new shape would also have to enable a more efficient
fabrication process for hot rolled profiles, due to single cutting in
the web and reduced length of welding.
A discussion on the new shape can be divided into four parts: Fig 3: Oxycutting details.
elaboration of the new cutting shape, design of the beam for a
reference building, realisation of a 17 m span composite beam After the different steps in the fabrication, the ANGELINA beam
test at the University of Lige, Belgium, and elaboration of a takes shape and its final dimensions, with reference to the initial
numerical model able to simulate all the failure modes of this section, are indicated in Fig 4.
new composite cellular beam.

ELABORATION OF THE NEW CUTTING SHAPE

ANGELINA
Some steps were taken to define the shape of the new cellular
beam. The first drawing from the architect Mr Vasconi, is shown
in Fig 1. A classic cellular beam has been gradually modified using Fig 4: Final dimensions.
ACB software, to have the largest opening allowed by ultimate
values for criteria in the construction and service phases. DESIGN OF THE ANGELINA BEAM FOR A REFERENCE
BUILDING

Fig 1: First drawing from Mr Claude Vasconi and transformation Fig 5: Reference Building.
using ACB software to ANGELINA.
Loads
Geometrical details of the cutting Variable load = 5 kN/m
Self weight of the steel beam = 1.87 kN/m
with a = 0.840 m and b = 0.500 m. Self weight of the slab (Cofradal 200) = 2 kN/m
Permanent loads (partition walls, finishing) = 1 kN/m

14 THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER Aug 2008

 Structural Engineering
Material properties
Structural Steel S460 (fy = 460 N/mm)
Reinforcing Steel S500 (fy = 500 N/mm)
Concrete C30/37 (fck = 30 N/mm)

ACB design
A calculation using ACB software was performed. The results led
to a cellular beam made from an HD400*187 in S460 Histar
with an opening of 450 mm, a web post of 150 mm, and a total
height of 580 mm.

ANGELINA design

Calculation of the optimal opening

One of the identified failure modes, is the buckling of the lower
part of the top tee at the beginning of the opening near the
support. This instability is due to the shear force Vbeam which is
the shear applied on the steel part.
The shear internal force VSd is calculated in the middle of the Fig 7: Test configuration.
first opening (x = 1960 mm).
Load at the jack V = from 0 to 559 kN (at the end of the test)
Self weight of ANGELINA = 1.87 kN/m
Self weight of the slab = 5 kN/m
Self weight of the two loading beams = 20 kN

ELABORATION OF A NUMERICAL MODEL ABLE TO

The shape of the opening was optimised in order to make the
biggest opening possible in this given profile. The cutting line of
ANGELINA follows the line of iso-resistance due to the shear
force applied.
Following Eurocode 3 [16] and classification theory, the
following bending moment resistance has been calculated. The
MRd,steel line corresponds to class 3, 2 and 1 bending moment
resistance of the tee section.
PREDICT ALL THE FAILURE MODES OF THE NEW
COMPOSITE CELLULAR BEAM
A finite element model was built using the FEM software SAFIR
from the University of Lige[17]. The ANGELINA was modelled
using shell elements and the concrete slab was modelled using a
beam element (Fig 8). A full shear connection was taken into
account by using the same nodes to model shell and beam
elements.

Fig 6: MEd MRd evolution in the opening.

REALISATION OF A 17 M SPAN COMPOSITE BEAM

TEST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LIGE Fig 8: SAFIR - geometric properties (pointed load).

Test parameters The test shows that the measured results are in accordance with
In order to simulate the distributed load, four point loads were the numerical simulations performed with the SAFIR software
placed on the beam (Fig 7). (Fig 9).

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER Aug 2008 15

Structural Engineering
Fig 9: Comparison of test results and numerical simulation using
SAFIR.
CONCLUSIONS
An optimal and aesthetic cutting shape was developed and a
complete range of new sections was designed. The ANGELINA
beam has been patented by ArcelorMittal Commercial Sections
SA and is being marketed by the company. The new section has
been optimised for multi-storey office buildings. By integrating
the services within the height of the beam, the ANGELINA
beam enables, for example, eight levels to be created in a building,
where only seven levels would have been normally possible.
In recognition of its innovative characteristics, ANGELINA
received a Golden Design Trophy at BATIMAT 2007, the building
and construction exhibition in Paris. This trophy acknowledges
the close collaboration between architect and industry, as well
as the innovative aspects of the product. ANGELINA combines
architectural vision with the desire of clients and engineers, for
flexibility and material optimisation.
REFERENCES
[1] ARBED Cellular Beams Descriptif Technique
Dtaill, 2002.
[2] ACB Design optimisation Web-Post Buckling,
CTICM report n7.013-08, 2003.
The ANGELINA beam from ArcelorMittal.
16 THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER Aug 2008
[3] Large Web Openings for Service Integration in
Composite Floors CEC 7210-PR315.
[4] Properties and strength of castellated beams.
Consideration of previous tests, Report D GE 71/262, The
United Steel Companies Ltd, Swinden Laboratories, Rotherham,
(1957).
[5] Gibson & Jenkins, The Structural Engineer, 35 (12),
(1957) pp 467-479.
[6] Sherbourne, Proc 2nd Commonwealth Welding
Conference, Institute of Welding, London, C2 (1966) pp 1-5.
[7] R. Delesques : Stabilit des montants de poutres
ajoures, revue Construction mtallique n3 - 1968, CTICM,
1968, p 26-33.
[8] A. Bazile et J Texier, Essais de poutres ajoures, revue
Construction mtallique n3-1968, CTICM, 1968, p12-25.
[9] Hosain & Speirs, J. American Welding Society, Welding
Res Supp, 52 (8), (1973) pp329-342.
[10] Mandel et al, J Structural Division, ASCE, 97 (ST7),
(1971) pp1947-1967.
[11] Shoukry, J American Welding Society, Welding Res
Supp, 44 (5), (1965) pp231- 240.
[12] RG Redwood, Analyse et dimensionnement des poutres
ayant des ouvertures dans les mes, revue Construction mtallique
n3-1978, CTICM, 1978, p15-27.
[13] D. Mateesco et G. Mercea, Un nouveau type de poutres
ajoures, revue Construction Mtallique, n3-1981, CTICM,
1981, p 3-14.
[14] D. Bitar, T Demarco, P O Martin, Steel and non
composite cellular beams Novel approach for design based
on experimental studies and numerical investigations, brochure
EUROSTEEL, June 2005.
[15] Large web Openings for service integration in composite
floor, ECSC contract 7210-PR-315, 2004.
[16] Eurocode 3 : Design of steel structures - Part 1.1:
General rules and rules for buildings. N 1993-1-1. European
Committee for Standardisation.
[17] Finite Element Software SAFIR edited by the University
of Lige, Belgium.