Numerical Study on Optimization of WoodenSteel Hybrid Beams Based on Shape Factor of Steel Component

Sustainability concept has become one of the design strategies and the primary purpose of many sectors in our recent society. Although nowadays the composite of steel and concrete is quite popular but it is also important to improve and develop the structural systems especially the construction and design of wooden structure. However, we should minimize the long-term negative impacts of structural systems on the environment because the nature of wood which is light, cheap, and environment-friendly would make it a good material to pair with. Furthermore, wood components would reduce the risk of buckling on individual activity of steel and thus would lead to more efficient hybrid steel-timber structural systems in the future. As a traditional way, designing a beam has been simply achieved and the geometry of the timber-steel-hybrid beam is really ideal and advantageous to improve their work. According to the first generation of timber-steel-hybrid beams called ―Flitch-beams‖, the aim of this study is to follow and develop a method in order to provide more efficient shape factor performance for Flitch-beams. Basing on the main concept of data tables from National Association of Home Builders of the United States (NAHB) builders’ beam showing the capacity of Flitch-beams with variety of sizes, this study chooses one fixed pattern of 2 wood pieces (2x8’’) inserted by a straight steel-platecore to evaluate and determine the optimized morphology among the variety of cross-sections and is then applied in to the beam as replacement for straight steel-plate-core. Besides that, to figure out the optimal core, the three types Rectangular-section, Hollow-section and I-section which were based on the same area condition and material should be assessed properly. The first result showed that the comparison relies on numerical data of Maximum bending stress and deflection at mid span. Following this, the new Flitch-beam was re-calculated and the experiment was conducted in comparison with the NAHB builders’ beam pattern. Similarly, the final result indicated that the coordination of optimized steel core is more advantageous than the pattern beam.