City Research Online

Abstract

This paper aims to assess laterally unrestrained high-strength steel (HSS) cellular beams. A finite element model (FE) is developed based on test considering geometrically material non-linear analyses with imperfections included. A parametric study is carried out and the key geometric parameters of cellular beams as well as the yield strength were varied. The FE models incorporates the use of both normal strength and high-strength steel. Different failure modes were observed and the results were compared with the new version of EC3 (BS EN 1993-1-13, 2024) and with the new procedure that takes into account the web-post buckling due to transverse loads. The results indicate that EC3 is highly conservative, and predicts the beam resistance reasonably well for slender beams, with a tendency to underestimate the resistance as the strength of the steel increases. Increasing steel strength may alter the failure mode. The use of HSS proved most beneficial for less slender cellular beams, in which local failure modes predominantlygoverned the resistance capacity. For slenderer beams, the effectiveness of HSS was reduced, as the improvement in ultimate capacity was often small relative to the increase in yield strength. Additionally, the adoption of reduced web-post widths, combined with the absence of stiffeners, may lead to web-post buckling under compressive stresses.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2026, Elsevier. This is the accepted manuscript of an article published by Elsevier. Please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions for information on re-use.
Publisher Keywords:	High-strength steel; Cellular beam; Laterally unrestrained; Resistance; Failure modes; Finite element analysis
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) T Technology > TH Building construction
Departments:	School of Science & Technology School of Science & Technology > Department of Engineering
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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