Investigation of Bending Effect on Steel–Concrete–Steel (SCS) Sandwich Composite Sections Considering Width–Thickness Ratio and Global Provisional Codes Validation

Steel–concrete–steel (SCS) sandwich composite structure demonstrates significant stiffness, strength, and ductility characteristics with superior advantages compared to an ordinary reinforced concrete structure. SCS might be prepared of two external steel plates with a concrete core filled in between them. Mechanical connectors give rise to composite action in higher flexural resistance to effectively withstand accidental loads for massive projects. Many relevant investigations are currently being done, but factors like buckling of the compression flange are still less considered and need necessary evaluations for better SCS utilisation. Due to stability design, it is vital to study the contributions of composite mechanisms for the whole process of bending performance. In this research work, numerical evaluations on SCS composite structure have been carried out by creating a three-dimensional model using Abaqus (6.14) finite element software and elaborated to investigate the bending capacity of validation models with relevant experimental studies. The two groups of materials’ strength (Concrete–Steel) as per Indian standards have been utilised in comparison with initial investigations to illustrate the varying between SCS numerical beams in terms of force and displacement. A series of analyses have been performed to check the composite's performance. Exploring this SCS composite effect by varying the bottom and top flanges’ thickness is vital. Furthermore, the changes in thickness values of the SCS axial Web were studied for all the validation models in contrast to Indian materials of different strengths. The most significant effect of using the steel–concrete–steel (SCS) composite in different concrete grades is also considered. In conclusion, the buckling with varying width–thickness ratios for numerical specimens is compared to be validated with the ultimate loading of SCS beams with European code, Japanese standard, and the proposed method from the relevant studies.