Journal of Advanced Informatics in Water, Soil, and Structure

Journal of Advanced Informatics in Water, Soil, and Structure

Numerical Analysis of The Interlayer Behaviour of a Steel-Concrete-Steel Sandwich Structure with Corrugated-Strip Shear Connectors

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
1 Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran.
2 Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Maritime Engineering, Chabahar Maritime University (CMU), Chabahar, Iran.
10.22048/wss.2025.518550.1018
Abstract
Steel-concrete-steel (SCS) sandwich composite structures consist of two steel face plates and a concrete core connected by shear connectors. Due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent energy dissipa-tion capacity, these systems are increasingly used in offshore structures. This study develops 211 numerical models using the Explicit solver and mass-scaling technique in ABAQUS to efficiently simulate quasi-static behavior despite geometric complexities. The models investigate the influence of key geometric pa-rameters—including steel face plate thickness, concrete core thickness, and concrete compressive strength—on the shear performance of corrugated strip connectors (CSC). A major contribution of this research is the formulation of predictive linear regression equations for estimating maximum shear strength, offering a practical and time-efficient tool for the preliminary design and optimization of SCS structures. The findings demonstrated the critical influence of connector geometry and concrete strength on the shear performance of SCS sandwich structures, and improved predictive accuracy was achieved through refined numerical modeling.
Keywords

Subjects


  1. ABAQUS, S. (2010). EUs Manual. Hibbitt, Karlsson & Sorensen Inc, Pawtucket, RI, USA.
  2. Barahouei, M., Yousefi, M., & Khatibi, S. H. (2025). Experimental and numerical study of the flexural behavior of SCS beams with two-end welding C-shape connectors and reactive powder concrete core. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 22, e04518.
  3. Bowerman, H., & Chapman, J. (2000). Bi-steel concrete steel sandwich construction. The fourth US Engineering Foundation conference on composite construction, June,
  4. Daliri, M., Arab, H. G., Miri, M., & Khatibi, S. H. (2025). Overlap effects of one-end welded box-profile shear connectors on interlayer shear behavior. Structures, 71. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2024.107982
  5. Daliri, M., Ghohani Arab, H., Miri, M., & Khatibi, S. H. (2025). Prediction of Shear Strength in SCS Panels with One-End Welded BP Shear Connector Using Numerical Modeling and Gene Expression Programming (GEP). AUT Journal of Civil Engineering. https://doi.org/10.22060/ajce.2025.23851.5904
  6. Dogan, O., & Roberts, T. (2012). Fatigue performance and stiffness variation of stud connectors in steel–concrete–steel sandwich systems. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 70, 86-92. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2011.08.013
  7. Foundoukos, N., & Chapman, J. (2008). Finite element analysis of steel–concrete–steel sandwich beams. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 64(9), 947-961. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2007.10.011
  8. Huang, Z., & Liew, J. (2016). Numerical studies of steel-concrete-steel sandwich walls with J-hook connectors subjected to axial loads. Steel and Composite Structures, 21(3), 461-477.
  9. Huang, Z., Liew, J. R., Yan, J., & Wang, J. (2013). Finite element analysis of curved lightweight steel–concrete–steel sandwich panel subjected to lateral loads. Proceeding of Advances in Structural Engineering and Mechanics (ASEM13), Steel and Composite Structures (ICSCS13), 2583-2597.
  10. Khatibi, S. H., Arab, H. G., & Miri, M. (2022). Interlayer behavior investigation of box profile shear connectors in steel-concrete-steel sandwich structures. Structures, 45, 1031-1042. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2022.09.064
  11. Khatibi, S. H., Arab, H. G., & Miri, M. (2023). The behavior of steel-concrete-steel sandwich composite beams with box-profile shear connectors: Experimental and numerical. Structures, 54, 644-656. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2023.05.054
  12. Leekitwattana, M., Boyd, S., & Shenoi, R. (2011). Evaluation of the transverse shear stiffness of a steel bi-directional corrugated-strip-core sandwich beam. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 67(2), 248-254.
  13. Liew, J. R. (2008). Innovative SCS system for marine and offshore applications. The Structural Engineer, 86(12), 24-25.
  14. Liew, J. R., & Sohel, K. (2009). Lightweight steel–concrete–steel sandwich system with J-hook connectors. Engineering Structures, 31(5), 1166-1178.
  15. Roshani, H., Yousefi, M., Gharaei-Moghaddam, N., & Khatibi, S. H. (2023). Flexural performance of steel-concrete-steel sandwich beams with lightweight fiber-reinforced concrete and corrugated-strip connectors: Experimental tests and numerical modeling. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 18, e02138.
  16. Shanmugam, N., Kumar, G., & Thevendran, V. (2002). Finite element modelling of double skin composite slabs. Finite elements in analysis and design, 38(7), 579-599.
  17. Smitha, M., & Kumar, S. S. (2013). Steel–concrete composite flange plate connections—finite element modeling and parametric studies. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 82, 164-176.
  18. Solomon, S., Smith, D., & Cusens, A. (1976). Flexural tests of steel-concrete-steel sandwiches. Magazine of Concrete Research, 28(94), 13-20.
  19. Tomlinson, M., Tomlinson, A., Li Chapman, M., Jefferson, A., & Wright, H. (1990). Shell composite construction for shallow draft immersed tube tunnels. In Immersed tunnel techniques (pp. 209-220). Thomas Telford Publishing.
  20. Yan, J.-B. (2015). Finite element analysis on steel–concrete–steel sandwich beams. Materials and Structures, 48(6), 1645-1667.
  21. Yan, J.-B., Liew, J., & Zhang, M.-H. (2015a). Ultimate strength behavior of steel-concrete-steel sandwich beams with ultra-lightweight cement composite, Part 2: finite element analysis. Steel and Composite Structures, 18(4), 1001-1021.
  22. Yan, J.-b., Liew, J. R., Sohel, K., & Zhang, M. (2014). Push-out tests on J-hook connectors in steel–concrete–steel sandwich structure. Materials and Structures, 47(10), 1693-1714.
  23. Yan, J.-B., Liew, J. R., & Zhang, M.-H. (2015b). Shear-tension interaction strength of J-hook connectors in steel-concrete-steel sandwich structure. Advanced Steel Construction, 115(1), 73.
  24. Yan, J.-B., Liew, J. R., Zhang, M.-H., & Wang, J. (2014). Ultimate strength behavior of steel-concrete-steel sandwich beams with ultra-lightweight cement composite, Part 1: Experimental and analytical Study. Steel and Compsite Structures, 17(6), 907-927.
  25. Yan, J.-B., Xiong, M.-X., Qian, X., & Liew, J. (2016). Numerical and parametric study of curved steel-concrete-steel sandwich composite beams under concentrated loading. Materials and Structures, 49(10), 3981-4001.
  26. Yousefi, M., & Ghalehnovi, M. (2017). Push-out test on the one end welded corrugated-strip connectors in steel-concrete-steel sandwich structure. Steel and Composite Structures, 24.
  27. Yousefi, M., & Ghalehnovi, M. (2018). Finite element model for interlayer behavior of double skin steel-concrete-steel sandwich structure with corrugated-strip shear connectors. Steel Compos. Struct, 27(1), 123-133.
  28. Yousefi, M., Golmohammadi, M., Khatibi, S. H., & Yaghoobi, M. (2023). Prediction of the punching load strength of SCS slabs with stud-bolt shear connectors using numerical modeling and GEP algorithm. Journal of Rehabilitation in Civil Engineering, 11(3), 68-87.
  29. Yousefi, M., & Khatibi, S. H. (2021). Experimental and numerical study of the flexural behavior of steel–concrete-steel sandwich beams with corrugated-strip shear connectors. Engineering Structures, 242, 112559.
  30. Zou, G. P., Xia, P. X., Shen, X. H., & Wang, P. (2016). Investigation on the failure mechanism of steel-concrete steel composite beam. Steel and Composite Structures, 20(6), 1183-1191.

  • Receive Date 22 April 2025
  • Revise Date 25 October 2025
  • Accept Date 30 October 2025
  • First Publish Date 30 October 2025
  • Publish Date 01 May 2025