Experimental and Numerical Study of the Bending Behaviour of Built-Up and Standard Rolled Beam Sections Incorporating the Intermeshed Steel Connection for Reuse

This study presents a full-scale experimental and numerical investigation of the flexural behaviour of a newly developed side intermeshed steel connection (side ISC), with particular emphasis on its implementation in and comparative performance between built-up and standard rolled beam sections. Four full-scale beam specimens incorporating the side ISC at mid-span were tested under monotonic pure-bending loading representative of gravity load effects. Global load–deflection behaviour and local deformation were measured to investigate the connection response and load transfer mechanisms. The standard rolled beams reached yield loads corresponding to approximate yield load, whereas the built-up beams reached approximately 83%, with the differences attributed to material strength, fabrication effects, and manufacturing tolerances. The specimens exhibited ductile behaviour, with failure concentrated in the lower side plates. Nonlinear finite element models of the four specimens were developed and showed good agreement with the experimental global load–displacement response and local deformation behaviour. Within the limited scope of four monotonic pure bending tests, the results demonstrate the potential of the intermeshed connection concept for demountable steel construction. However, further testing, including repeated assembly, disassembly, component replacement, and reloading, is required to establish its reusable performance.