ICSBE 2020

Table of Contents

1. Green Technology and Disaster Resilience

   1. Frontmatter

   2. A Study on Climate Change Impact on Cooling Energy Demand Patterns for an Existing Office Building

      S. V. I. R. V. Serasinghe, M. A. Wijewardane, I. D. Nissanka

      Abstract

      Energy demand for building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning account for a significant fraction of the global electricity demand. With global average temperatures projected to increase throughout the twenty-first century, building energy demand and consumption are also slated to increase. Even though the importance of climate effect on building energy management has been identified there has been few studies conducted to date to estimate the sensitivity of electricity demand for air conditioning to the climate variability, especially for the tropical weather conditions. The localized studies are of more importance in this regard, as the air conditioning load vary with the local ambient conditions. The impacts of climate change on building air conditioning energy demand for existing buildings can be reduced by establishing future energy demand patterns and using passive cooling strategies. Hence, this research aims to establish a relationship between the current energy demand patterns for air conditioning in a selected existing building and ambient temperature changes, thereby establish energy demand patterns. A suitable sample building was selected for the study and the indoor thermal comfort data, outdoor environment conditions and building energy consumption patterns are monitored and hourly data were collected. Climate conditions and the cooling load variability of the building were studied theoretically and the relation between climate conditions and energy consumption patterns were analysed. The indoor temperature and cooling load showed high sensitivity to the outdoor temperature with maximum of 25% cooling load increase for 1 °C increase in outdoor temperature. Also, it was predicted that the current cooling load of the building will increase by 40–55% in 2050. Further, the effects of the short-term meteorological variability on the cooling degree days are calculated and its impact on the energy demand was established for the selected building, which could be used for predicting future energy demand patterns with the help of different climate change models.

   3. A Case Study on Temporal Variations of the Pavement Thermal Performance Based on Surface Texture for Urban Areas in Sri Lanka

      D. M. Senevirathne , V. M. Jayasooriya

      Abstract

      Pavements represent a high fraction of urban land use and contribute to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) in cities. The countries within tropical regions does not experience significant changes in local climate throughout the year similar to temperate regions, however experience differences in ambient temperature conditions due to the changes of the sun path relative to the ground. Identification of the thermal performance variations of pavers in tropical regions will assist landscape planners on selecting the pavers in an optimum way to reduce UHI considering the pavement location and the surrounding structures and direction of shading. The physical attributes of the pavers may also have a significant impact on the thermal performance of pavers. The current study was concentrated on two time periods; (1) where the sun is right above the study area (August–September) and (2) where the sun is relatively positioned furthest to the latitude of study area, (November–December), to assess the thermal performance of pavements within two climatic seasons in Sri Lanka. The study was conducted in an urban environment in Colombo, Sri Lanka by considering 9 sample pavers consisted with a single color (Natural Gray), and three surface roughness levels (Smooth, Rough and Jagged). One-sample t-test was performed to analyze the significant differences among pavers on the thermal performance in two different seasons considered. According to the results obtained, there were no significant differences within the thermal performance between 7.00 AM and 12.00 PM of two time periods, however, after 1.00 PM, pavers have shown a significant difference within the two time periods. The maximum temperature difference within two periods was shown at 4.00 PM as 6.56 °C. The time period of November to December showed lower surface temperature levels and heat emittance. The findings of this study provide valuable insights in pavement designing for urban areas, in order to regulate microclimates and reduce the impacts of UHI.

   4. Discharge Observations Assimilation to Improve Flood Prediction Skills

      W. H. M. Y. D. Bandara, K. H. S. Dinelka, N. G. P. B. Neluwala

      Abstract

      Flood is one of the most threatening disasters affect the people not only in Sri Lanka but also in the world. Data assimilation is a state-of-the-art technique which can provide accurate analysis in modern day. Accurate flood prediction is essential to reduce damages which are caused by floods. On that topic Sri Lanka is in a very poor position. As a reason for that not using Data assimilation much in Sri Lanka may be have a significant factor. Ensemble Kalman Filter is a popular Data assimilation method widely used to incorporate observation data to model forecast. Most of the research based on this area was done by using MIKE 11 application. Kelani River is one of the major rivers that was affected by floods to the people and properties in past few decades. Study area of the research is selected from Glencourse to Hanwella of Kelani River. This study found that discharge observations assimilation is very effective in updating the entire model to improve flood hydrograph at Hanwella by using MIKE 11 and real data of flood events. Before doing model simulations, calibration was done by using data of May of 2016. Then to demonstrate the Data Assimilation system, multiple 1D simulations with different scenarios were carried out to get the results. Final results show the discharge observation assimilation is very effective to improve flood prediction skills.

   5. A Device to Determine the Panel Orientation for Best Annual Solar Energy Generation at a Selected Location

      S. U. M. Jagoda, W. M. C. Dilanga, D. S. D. S. Jarathne, H. K. G. Punchihewa, V. P. C. Dassanayake, H. P. Karunathilake

      Abstract

      Within the past few years, solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation has gained popularity along with sustainable concepts around the world. The low efficiency of PV systems could be identified as a leading drawback of energy conversion. Panel tilt angle and direction directly affect the amount of irradiance incident on solar panels, governing the amount of energy generated. Assuming ideal conditions, fixed panels are installed to face the equator, as used in common practice, while the tilt angle is kept equal to the latitude of the location. Due to the uniqueness of geographic and weather conditions in different locations, the irradiance patterns may deviate from the ideal. Thus, the optimum panel orientation may differ from conventional practise. Thus, the objective of this study was to introduce a universal method which can determine the location-specific optimum orientation of solar panels. The in-situ weather and irradiance data were captured for a period of time (approx. 30 weeks) at a given location. In addition, weather data at the location was collected for the past few years via relevant authorities. A mathematical model was developed to extrapolate the irradiance incident on various orientations using available data as a guideline for an average year. The orientation that is expected to capture the highest amount of irradiance was determined as the optimum orientation. Then, a case study was carried out following the above methodology at the department of mechanical engineering, University of Moratuwa. The analytical results showed that the overall efficiency of the PV system was increased by 0.4% compared to that obtained with the generic tilt (i.e. 7°) setup. The efficiency of the entire system could be increased without an additional cost if such analysis is conducted prior installation. The analysis would be more appropriate for large scale solar farms rather than domestic installations.

   6. The Autonomous Battery-Powered House, Which Energized Through a Solar Power and Reused Hybrid Vehicle Batteries Under Extra Low Voltage Direct Current Installation

      H. N. Hikkaduwa

      Abstract

      The life was arose with the lunar energy, and the main source of the energy to earth is solar. The evolution of science from Stone Age, then find fire and now electricity, and tends to find new energy requirements for living. At present, electricity become the basic need in human life. Day by day the electrical sector developing and lifestyle is changing swiftly. Similarly electrical energy demand will boosting with respect to the population growth and changing lifestyle. The strategic setting of Sri Lanka in Indian Ocean, created the immense development and leads for vast electrical demand in power sectors. Thus power generations consumes huge amount of coal and fossils fuel, through a massive environmental damage and loosing of countries foreign remittent. In par the distributional losses will exaggerate further. Electrocution is a critical risk with high and medium voltage supply; even in the domestic supply of 230 V, AC. Presently most house hold electrical appliances are runs with 5–12 V direct current (DC) low voltages, and for step-down it, also creates losses. The life was arose with the lunar energy, and the main source of the energy to earth is solar and accordingly humans were success to absorb the energy of the solar rays as a solar photovoltaic power. Sri Lanka is a tropical country, which close to the equator, and also efficiency of solar PV panels and batteries technology in rapidly in present: therefore solar is the more prominent power source to country. Nonetheless, the cost on solar panels can affordable and price on better batteries are compatibly high. Sri Lankans running with significant amount of electrical and hybrid vehicle, and dispose of its batteries are now be a challenge, due to absent of recovering technologies. Haphazardness disposal of them course huge environmental damage. Thus reusing of them shall eliminate those issue. Hence, this paper assays to elaborate the prospects of autonomous “Battery Powered House”, which runs with extra low voltage (12 V) installation and energized thru Solar PV and Reused electrical vehicles (EV) battery bank.

   7. EPS Blended Cementitious Plaster for Improved Thermal Comfort in Buildings

      A. Selvaratnam, J. C. P. H. Gamage, G. I. P. De Silva

      Abstract

      The use of green materials in building construction has become trendy to improve the thermal comfort within the buildings with minimized natural resources. This paper presents the development of a cementitious insulated plaster using Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) as partial replacement for fine aggregates. An experimental program was conducted by replacing the fine aggregates in the conventional plaster with EPS in the range of 0–200% by volume. A reduction up to 69% and 53% were noted in thermal conductivity and density, respectively due to the replacement of aggregates with EPS in the conventional mortar. From a trial and error process, the mix with 125% replacement by EPS was selected as the ideal mix for optimum thermo-mechanical performance. A numerical model was developed to examine the heat transfer behaviour through a wall/Plaster composite and the predicted results were in a satisfactory agreement with the experimental results. A reduction of 18% in the decrement factor and an increment of 20% in time lag were noted in the wall panels with the developed EPS-Cement plaster.

   8. Investigating the Preparedness of Staff Members in Privately Owned Hospitals in Sri Lanka Against Fire Hazards

      W. D. M. Kularatne, H. H. H. Hasalanka, C. S. A. Siriwardana

      Abstract

      Hospitals have a high potential for fire hazards due to reasons such as the presence of volatile chemicals, large electrical networks, and high waste generation. In addition to taking steps to prevent fire, preparation of staff to face a fire hazard should also be done. This study looks at the current level of fire safety training and preparedness of staff members in privately owned hospitals in Sri Lanka. A structured questionnaire was developed to assess fire safety training and preparedness of hospital staff members. This was used to interview sixty-six staff members of multiple major private hospitals. The staff consisted of various positions ranging from medical staff to security and maintenance staff. The study revealed that over 70% of the staff had training in basic fire management and more responsibility in emergency response had been given to the maintenance and security staff in the hospitals. Overall, the staff in private hospitals were suitably prepared for fire hazards, with each institution holding fire training programs annually. It is recommended that staff preparedness can be increased through actions such as carrying out regular fire safety training and drills, developing a fire action plan for the hospital, and designating a fire safety officer for the hospital.

   9. Redesigning and Repurposing Healthcare Facilities for the New Normal, COVID-19: A Review on New Approaches in Hospital Systems

      J. H. P. R. U. Jayasekara, C. S. A. Siriwardana, D. Amaratunga, R. Haigh

      Abstract

      Without any doubt, the outbreak of novel coronavirus; mostly known as COVID-19 has divided the recent timeline of world into three periods namely, before COVID-19, during COVID-19 and after COVID-19. The devastating impacts that occurred during COVID-19 have already been a wake-up call towards how the existing systems should be strengthened for the period after COVID-19 to mitigate the risk of future pandemics. During the pandemic, functionality of healthcare facilities started to fail in a cascading manner highlighting the need for addressing the systemic nature of risks with novel approaches. Architects, engineers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers have started to plan on how the future healthcare facilities have to be altered for the new normal, COVID-19. This paper delves into the challenges rendered on healthcare facilities during COVID-19, immediate actions taken to mitigate the impacts, and new approaches suggested for the period after COVID-19. The study has drawn on a review of recently published scholarly articles, reports, international and national policy and frameworks, news items, magazine articles, etc. pertaining to the behavior of healthcare facilities during the crisis and future hospital designs. Apart from the challenges and immediate actions in mitigating the negative impacts, this paper has summarized new approaches for future hospital designs under two categories namely, hospital design and built environment, and hospital management and operation. It is evident that pandemic has highlighted the paramount importance of sustainable Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies towards more resilient healthcare facilities in the future. But still, these new approaches have to be further validated through multi-sectoral approaches since the crisis is not still over.

   10. Development of a Framework to Examine the Transportation Infrastructure Resilience; Sri Lankan Context

       P. L. A. I. Shehara, C. S. A. Siriwardana, D. Amaratunga, R. Haigh

       Abstract

       Critical Infrastructures can be considered as backbones in the societal and economic well-being of the countries. In many of the countries, natural hazards turning to disasters have become a massive threat in reducing the continuous functionality and delivery of the service. Due to the systematic behaviour of these Critical Infrastructures, the failure or disruption of one infrastructure system disturbs the functioning of the whole infrastructure system network. This induces with the cascading effects triggering on one infrastructure system, impacting the other infrastructure systems in the long run. For this to mitigate, the focus on integrating Disaster Risk Reduction strategies towards reducing the disaster damages on Critical Infrastructure emerged with time. In the Sri Lankan context, each year, the disaster damages to Critical Infrastructures are rapidly increasing making a huge impact on the country’s economic development. Among them, there seems a rise in disaster damage to the transportation infrastructure sector, in which the highest damage was incurred from the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami incident. Here, the damage occurred on Peraliya railway infrastructure recorded as the largest single rail disaster in the world history with loss of nearly 1700 people lives and about million cost of damage to the railway assets. Based on these background aspects, the research study outlines the development of the transportation infrastructure management framework with a focus on climate resilience aspects in Sri Lanka. The impact of each of the determinant aspects of infrastructure resilience which are interlinked with the community and organizational resilience aspects were examined with the review of the literature and as well as the questionnaire survey analysis. A field survey was conducted to examine the community resilience aspects and a telephone interview survey was conducted to examine the organizational resilience aspects from the Sri Lankan perspective. From the 323 responses obtained from the community field survey and 1004 responses obtained from the telephone interviewing, the extent of perception for each defined resilience parameters were examined. From these survey results and the review of similar framework studies, the identified parameters were outlined into a framework. This developed framework is suggested to further verify and define weightages for each parameters in the future studies.

   11. Investigating the Variables that Influence the Use of Social Media for Disaster Risk Communication in Sri Lanka

       H. A. D. G. S. Jayathilaka, C. S. A. Siriwardana, D. Amaratunga, R. P. Haigh, N. Dias

       Abstract

       Sri Lanka has been experiencing various types of hazards which have turn into disasters over the past years. A considerable amount of human lives and properties have been impacted due to these disasters. Establishing proper communication channels for effective dissemination of disaster-related information is one of the key strategies of reducing and preventing the impact of disasters. As an emerging communication technology, new attention has been drawn to use social media as a communication channel during disasters to disseminate disaster-related information to the general public. It has previously been identified that there are several variables that affect the use of social media by the general public during disasters. The primary objective of this study is to investigate these variables and their variation for the Sri Lankan context. To conduct this study, an online questionnaire was circulated among the community and 408 responses were collected. Data were analysed under two phases. In the first phase, descriptive statistics for the data were obtained to identify the demography of the respondents. Secondly, binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the variation of the independent variables (predictors) associated with the use of social media during disasters. It has been identified that there is a positive relationship between the respondents’ previous experiences of disasters and their social media usage during disasters. There is no meaningful relationship between gender and the use of social media during disasters. The age group to which the respondents belonged was also identified as having a significant impact on their use of social media during disasters. People who belong to the age group of 18–24 are more likely to use social media during disasters than other age groups. A significant increase in the use of social media during of disaster can be observed among the adult community in Sri Lanka.

   12. Incorparation of Disasater Risk Reduction and Disasater Resilient Mechanisms into the Building Tool of GREENSL® Rating System for Built Environment

       A. A. S. E. Abeysinghe, C. S. A. Siriwardane, C. S. Bandara, P. B. R. Dissanayake, R. Haigh, D. Amarathunga

       Abstract

       Disaster risk in Sri Lanka has been increasing mainly due to rapid unplanned commercialization and development of cities, infrastructure with poor quality, and the impacts of climate change which has exposed the built environment severely to natural hazards. Out of all the hazards, floods, landslides, heavy winds and tsunamis have caused the highest number of damages to buildings and loss of human lives during the period of 1965–2019. Although the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL) has initiated many resilient measures in energy and resources usage in buildings, it has not specifically identified the requirement of integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) mechanisms into their green rating tools. This research study is focused on identifying structural and non-structural DRR measures for the three disasters; floods, landslides and high winds, developing guidelines and finally proposing a new disaster resilient building tool under the main eight categories of the existing building tool for GREENSL^® Rating System for Built Environment V2.0 with expert committee inputs; followed by eleven surveys carried out in green certified buildings situated in flood, landslide and high wind prone areas and less or no hazard prone areas for validation. It is highly recommended to use new disaster resilient building tool in certifying buildings situated in flood and landslide prone areas, moderately recommended to use in high wind areas and finally it is acceptable to use the existing building tool for GREENSL^® Rating System for Built Environment V2.0 for the buildings situated in less or no hazard prone areas. However, it can be advised to use the new disaster resilient building tool even for the buildings situated in less or no hazard prone areas as it addresses the general DRR measures to combat adverse climatic trends in future.

2. Sustainable Construction of Building and Infrastructure

   1. Frontmatter

   2. Improvement of an ADT Estimation Model Developed for A-Class Roads in Sri Lanka by Incorporating National Expressways and Important B-Class Links

      P. M. Jayarathne, R. D. N. D. Kumari, W. R. S. S. Dharmarathna, I. M. S. Sathyaprasad

      Abstract

      Estimates of Average Daily Traffic (ADT) are important in the operations of state highway departments for new constructions, improving existing facilities and maintenance. The available manual survey methods to calculate ADT are costly and time consuming. There have been several previous attempts to develop ADT estimation models for the A-class road network in Sri Lanka. One of the serious shortcomings of these models is that the contribution of important class B roads and expressways in transferring inter-district trips is not represented. Hence, this study aims to improve ADT estimation model for the A-class road network including key B-class links and current expressways (E01, E02, E03). Six independent variables were selected in order to represent three main contributors to the ADT through the location; local, regional and inter-district trips, as build-up areas of cities and, distance to the counting stations, population density in the administrative district and the network connectivity factor. Network connectivity factors were calculated based on a link-node system with 96 nodes and 162 links. Road junctions, interchanges of expressways and district capitals are also selected as nodes in the link-node system. Important B-class road links were selected based on average ADT in B-class links in each district, google maps and, local knowledge. Furthermore, B-class links connected with expressway interchanges are also selected based on ADT values. Assuming the rational behaviour of trip makers that try to reduce fuel, toll cost, travel time, travel distance, etc. the network connectivity factor is derived based on a generalized cost function. Generalized cost matrix was used as an input for analyzing the cheapest path using Dijkstra’s Algorithm in Python platform. A regression analysis is done for obtaining the respective parameters of the ADT model with Minitab 19 software. Model resulted a R-square value of 0.71. Percentage bias (PBIAS) was checked for calibration and validation data. For the calibration data, PBIAS is −0.00937% and for the validation data, PBIAS is 1.8%. Hence, the model is not biased and there is a significant improvement of the model, while using generalized cost instead of distance or travel time.

   3. Finite Element Analysis of Shear Strength Degradation of Reinforced Concrete Members with Corrosion

      R. A. C. G. Ranasinghe, J. M. R. S. Appuhamy

      Abstract

      Many reinforced concrete structures are exposed to adverse environmental conditions that lead to the corrosion of embedded steel reinforcement which causes the reduction of structural performance in the context of flexural strength, compressive strength and shear strength etc. Previous researchers mainly focused on the effects of corrosion damage on flexural behavior of reinforced concrete members and effects of corrosion on shear behaviour is not properly investigated. Finite element analysis has become a tool in analysing of reinforced concrete structures with adequate modeling assumptions. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the shear failure mechanism and shear capacity in longitudinally reinforced concrete beams with limited transverse reinforcement subjected to different levels of corrosion. Numerous finite element analyses were performed on concrete members with different corrosion conditions. Few concrete specimens were undergone accelerated corrosion to reduce cross sectional area of rebar thus affecting required the level of corrosion. The finite element analysis results were compared with experimental results in order to validate the developed finite element models. A parametric study was done by varying the corrosion damaged parameters and an averaged diameter with a maximum corroded pit was considered corrosion condition modelling. Residual shear capacity and percentage reduction in shear strength was analysed in accordance with corrosion damaged parameters. Empirical equations were developed to predict the residual shear capacity of corrosion damaged reinforced concrete members which can be used by structural engineers in making timely decisions.

   4. Investigation of the Best Joint Type for Combining of the Finger Jointed Timber Panel in Board Production

      C. K. Muthumala, S. De Silva, P. L. A. G. Alwis, K. K. I. U. Arunakumara

      Abstract

      Waste sawn timber material in furniture factories and short length of sawn timber are serious problems in timber industry. To further suggest ways to minimize the waste, by applying a jointing system, this paper utilizes the finger-jointed techniques. Using this method, waste timber planks, trimmings and edgings can be used as finger-jointed boards and furniture in sustainable way. Finger joint technique is also used to eliminate wood defects which weaken the strength of sawn wood planks. Finger joint technology is used in structural and non-structural applications. Furniture mainly belongs to non-structural category. This study was conducted to investigate the best joint type for combining of the finger-jointed timber panel in board production. Shear test was done to determine the most suitable joint type which could be employed in combining two finger-jointed timber panels. Shear test was performed for Pine—Pinus carebaea (soft wood) and Teak—Tectona grandis (Hard wood) timber types. Clear specimens, butt-jointed and tongue and groove were tested in the shearing apparatus. Eight test specimens of each timber specimens were used to obtain shear strength perpendicular to grains with 0.5 mm/min loading rate was applied using a Universal Testing Machine. Shear strength of Teak specimens with tongue and groove is higher than Teak specimens with butt joint, because bonding area of the tongue and groove specimens is higher than bonding area of the butt-jointed specimens. Specimen part with tongue of Pine is weaker than corresponding part of butt-jointed Pine specimen due to small cross-sectional area of tongue. So, Shear strength of Pine specimen with butt joint is greater than Pine specimen with tongue and groove.

   5. Investigating the Effects of Offset Distance in CSH on Steel Plates Under Three-Point Flexural Cyclic Loads in the LCF Range

      S. Abeygunasekera, J. C. P. H. Gamage, S. Fawzia

      Abstract

      This paper aims to investigate the effects of offset distance of crack stop hole (CSH) on steel plate with respect to its loading point. Laboratory tests and finite element simulations were performed to estimate the effect of offset distance from the midpoint of the specimens. The experimental study was performed in segments of rectangular plate stresses with a cyclic flexural load which applied through a mid-plane of the top surface of the specimen. 5 Hz frequency and 2 kN constant amplitude fatigue test were performed in the low cycle fatigue (LCF) range up to 10,000 cycles. Also, crack stop holes of 16 mm diameter were placed at the different offset distance from midpoint up to 100 mm in the range of 20 mm, and their effectiveness in Yield strength was evaluated by using laboratory test and test results were validated using a cyclic J-integral option using the ABAQUS FEM technique. The results of laboratory test as well as numerical analysis were synonymous. The offset distance of the CSH indicated a significant variation in the yield strength which in the range of 26.5–56.8% compared to the CSH at midpoint. This investigation reported a significant yield strength variation in the range of 19.3–42.1% with respect to CSH placed at mid-point of the specimen.

   6. Modification of Sequential Law for Fatigue Damage Assessment of Steel Structures Based on the Length of Stress/Strain Life Curves

      M. A. V. S. G. Meegalla, P. V. D. P. L. Saparamadu, I. M. U. I. Wijayarathna, T. M. Pallewatta, P. A. K. Karunananda

      Abstract

      One of the main difficulties in stress/strain based fatigue damage estimation is to find a representative ‘damage indicator’ which can be easily connected with the stress/strain life curve (S–N curve). The mostly used damage indicator model is the Miner’s rule but it does not take into account the loading sequence effect. The experimental results are higher than the Miner expectations for increasing type loading and are lower than the Miner’s expectations for decreasing type of loading. Recently, a new damage indicator that is based on sequential law has been proposed to capture the load sequence effect more precisely. According to the fundamentals of the stress/strain based approach, the damage point travelling path (damage trajectory) travels along the stress/strain life curve. The obtained results of the sequential law can be further improved if the path of the actual damage trajectory is taken into consideration. This paper proposes a new damage indicator considering the movement of damage trajectory along the stress/strain life curve. Damage indicator values are obtained using MATLAB (2018a) code and confirmed the applicability of the developed new model using a numerical example. Numerical example was selected to capture the effect of multiaxial stress effect and curves based on experimental results and mathematical modes. Increasing and decreasing type loadings were applied. As shown in the numerical results, the obtained results illustrate the real trend of fatigue damage assessment. Therefore, more accurate fatigue life estimation can be predicted using newly proposed curve based fatigue damage accumulation model.

   7. Analysis and Design of Steel Plate Composite Beams for Shear

      A. D. De Alwis, W. J. B. S. Fernando, P. Mendis, D. S. Hettiarachchi, W. P. M. Weerasinghe

      Abstract

      Development of tall buildings require innovative use of composite materials for optimal element sizing while ensuring structural stability. Steel composite concrete elements have widely been used when element dimensions are restricted and to ensure the structural performance of the element, where typically concrete would have imposed material restrictions. Steel I or H sections have widely been used for concrete encased composite elements and the use of steel plates have been used for coupling beams under seismic loading. This study takes into account steel plates used to withstand the induced shear in transfer beams where shear stresses are limited by the concrete shear resistance. The study shows the design process carried out for the steel composite beam element to withstand the action. An advanced finite element analysis was carried out to verify the load transfer mechanism and to illustrate the use of steel plate composite elements to transfer shear. The study shares the design process of the complex structural elements and intends to provide a guideline in designing similar complex structural elements.