Coupling Action of Slabs in Hull‐Core Structures

Abstract

The coupling action of a slab which is connected by moment‐resisting joints to the core and peripheral frames in a laterally loaded hull‐core structure is investigated by a finite element method. The relative influences of a range of geometrical and stiffness parameters are evaluated. It is found that the column to slab flexural stiffness ratio has a significant effect on the rotational stiffness and effective width of the slab, but practical variations in column axial stiffnesses have negligible effects on the slab stiffness. With a constant column‐slab flexural stiffness ratio, the influences of both column spacing and spandrel beam stiffness are negligible. The effective slab width increases with both relative core width and core depth. Curves are presented to facilitate the evaluation of rotational stiffness and effective width for practical situations. The coupling action reduces the shear lag in the outer framed‐tube.