Experimental and numerical investigations of corrugated stainless steel–concrete composite arches

A novel type of corrugated stainless steel–concrete composite (CSSCC) arch was innovatively proposed, distinguished by its excellent corrosion resistance and high bearing capacity. To comprehensively investigate its mechanical behavior, static tests were conducted for the first time on three specimens with different structural configurations under various loading conditions, and their failure modes, load–displacement curves, and ductility behavior were systematically analyzed. Meanwhile, finite element models were also developed for the first time to validate the structural responses observed in the tests and to perform parametric analyses. The results indicated that double-layer CSSCC arches exhibited superior crack resistance, higher stiffness, and greater bearing capacity than single-layer CSSCC arches, and that CSSCC arches were more favourable for carrying relatively uniform loadings than eccentric loadings. The ductility and yield strength of double-layer CSSCC arches increased by 9.5 % and 35.5 %, respectively, compared to those of single-layer CSSCC arches. Increasing the thicknesses of both concrete and corrugated stainless steel proved to be more effective in enhancing the bearing capacities of CSSCC arches than increasing the material strengths. Finally, a calculation method was proposed to determine the stable bearing capacity of CSSCC arches, thereby addressing the lack of approaches for evaluating their stable bearing capacity.