Estudo numérico de viga mista à flexão modelado com conectores de cisalhamento treliçado sólido e linear

Abstract

In recent decades, civil construction has advanced significantly, driven by the development of new technologies in the modern world. In this context, concern for sustainable practices has become increasingly prominent, as studies indicate the need to reduce the consumption of natural resources, whose scarcity has become ever more evident. Accordingly, the adoption of more efficient structural construction systems stands out, among which steel–concrete composite structures deserve special attention. This type of structure is formed by the combination of reinforced concrete and structural steel, which reduces the use of natural resources, generates less atmospheric pollution, requires lower material consumption, and produces fewer urban solid wastes, enabling lighter, faster, and more sustainable construction. In this context, the concept of shear connectors also emerges, which are mechanical devices whose function is to join structural elements so that they work together compositely. Numerical studies of steel–concrete composite beams are essential to more accurately understand their structural behavior. Thus, the choice of the geometry of structural elements directly influences the computational cost, since more complex models require a greater number of finite elements, degrees of freedom, and processing time. Therefore, this study aims to validate two numerical models of a proposed VCT-01 composite beam, experimentally investigated by Lima (2021), as well as to compare the computational cost and the influence on the results when the numerical model is validated using a truss-type shear connector modeled as a 3D element and as a linear element. The obtained results were validated according to the experimental test conducted by Lima (2021) and demonstrated that the model with a linear connector showed a significant reduction in computational cost and processing time, while maintaining good numerical accuracy when compared to the load (kN) versus displacement (mm) curve. This indicates that the linear element model achieved a processing time reduction of 96.15%, although it presented an error of 8.36% in the ultimate load, whereas the model with a 3D connector showed an error of 2.98%