Influence of the Geometric Characteristics of the Openings on the Mechanical Behavior of Steel Beams with Web Openings

Modern multistory buildings often incorporate steel and composite beams with web openings, offering various advantages. However, these openings can significantly diminish the shear and flexural strengths of the beams. The mechanical behavior of these beams is influenced by different shapes and sizes of openings in their webs. In this study, a numerical finite element analysis was conducted using Cast3m software to explore how the geometric characteristics of openings impact bisymmetric steel beam sections. The model accounts for material and geometric nonlinearities and is calibrated using analytical results from Eurocode 3. The parametric study revealed that, as height increases, the Vierendeel effect becomes more dominant compared to an increase in opening length.