STUDIES ON PREFABRICATED CAGE REINFORCED STEEL–CONCRETE COMPOSITE BEAMS

A series of experiments on composite beams reinforced with Prefabricated Cage System is reported. The experiments include eleven series of composite beams. The tests reported were used to ascertain the flexural strength of the beams and to validate the theoretical predictions. Companion specimens of concrete cylinders and cubes were tested for compressive strength and elastic modulus properties. Specimens of cold formed steel sheeting coupons were tested in tension to ascertain their yield strength and young’s modulus. Failure shown is occur in pure bending region. In this study, the effects of concrete strength and confinement on flexural ductility of PCRC beams have been evaluated in terms of a parameter known as the ductility factor and this gives an indication of the ability of a structural member to deform. The results reveal that PCRC beams show better ductile performance and maintain their loading upto the loading. There was good agreement between the results obtained from the analytical model and those obtained from the test programme.