Numerical Modeling of a Composite Hollow Vierendeel-Truss

Composite trusses, a very efficient alternative to overcome large spans for civil engineering, are usually constructed with corner sections, and in many cases, have a central Vierendeel panel, which the main objective is to enable the passage of pipes, unhampered in frames with the presence of diagonals. This work aims to study the feasibility and ultimate limit state to extend Vierendeel panels across the central third of the structure and replace the corner for hollow sections. The fundamental points that supported the theoretical calculation and, especially, how the numerical modeling of the composite Vierendeel-truss was performed, were indicated. The results showed that the regions of the structure with higher stress, determined by finite element method via software Ansys, were the same identified by the analytical calculation and bi-dimensional elastic modeling as acting the highest internal forces, thus validating the methodology of proposed calculation.