Performance Optimization of Steel Box Girder Materials with Web Openings under Combined Axial and Bending Loads: A Eurocode–Finite Element Approach

Authors

  • Hayder Mahdi Abdul-Jawad

    Department of Structural and Water Resources, University Kufa, Kufa 540011, Iraq
  • Oday Mohammed Albuthbahak

    Department of Architecture, University Kufa, Kufa 540011, Iraq
  • Luay Mohammed Shather

    Department of Structural and Water Resources, University Kufa, Kufa 540011, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jbms.v8i2.13441
Received: 22 April 2026 | Revised: 11 May 2026 | Accepted: 3 June 2026 | Published Online: 23 June 2026

Abstract

Steel box girders are known to be applied in several construction projects because of their structural efficiency characterized by a high strength-to-weight ratio, torsional rigidity, and effective structural design. Nonetheless, incorporation of web openings to gain easy utility access, inspection, and reduced girder self-weight will affect the internal stress pattern and possibly cause a great impact on its load resistance capacity when it is subjected to composite loading conditions. This study explores the load-bearing performance optimization of steel box girders with circular openings subjected to combined effects of axial force and bending moment using a combined analytical procedure of the European design code of practice and nonlinear finite element analysis through ABAQUS CAE software. A simply supported 4,000 mm long steel box girder made of S235JR material was considered for four distinct opening positions. Based on the findings, openings that are placed near support points exhibit a very high stress concentration and utilization ratio, hence making them susceptible to flange yielding and local buckling failure. On the other hand, placing the opening at the midspan area of the girder leads to axial stress reduction by 21.28% and 20.83% utilization ratio improvement. However, mid-span openings also increase global displacement and serviceability demands. The strong agreement between Eurocode predictions and nonlinear finite element simulations confirms the reliability of the proposed hybrid framework for practical structural design, optimization, and verification of steel box girders with web openings.

Keywords:

Structural Steel; Steel Box Girder; Web Openings; Structural Efficiency; Finite Element Analysis; Sustainable Construction Materials

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How to Cite

Abdul-Jawad, H. M., Albuthbahak, O. M., & Shather, L. M. (2026). Performance Optimization of Steel Box Girder Materials with Web Openings under Combined Axial and Bending Loads: A Eurocode–Finite Element Approach. Journal of Building Material Science, 8(2), 112–129. https://doi.org/10.30564/jbms.v8i2.13441

Issue

Vol. 8, Iss. 2 (June 2026): in progress

Article Type

Article

License

Copyright © 2026 Hayder Mahdi Abdul-Jawad, Oday Mohammed Albuthbahak, Luay Mohammed Shather

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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