A Beam String Structure (BSS) is a type of hybrid structures, which is composed of upper structural members, lower strings, and struts. Due to the advantages that the pre-tensioned strings elicit pre-caber of the upper structural members, the deflection can be greatly reduced without increasing the structural member size. In this study, a two-way beam string structure is proposed to endure bi-directional loading. The two-way beam string structure consists of two cable parts, namely, sagging and arch-shaped cables. A parametric study is presented aimed at proposing design guide lines of the two-way beam string structures. Numerical finite element analyses through the ABAQUS package were implemented to obtain their behaviors.

This study showed that experimental study of inelastic nonlinear behavior of two-way beam string structures. General large span structures consisting of beam members have large moment and long cross section of area. In order to decrease these excessive moment and deflection, the two-way beam string structures composed of H-Beam, strut, and cable elements were proposed. In the two-way string beam, the cable with the prestress improves force distribution of some weight reduction. Two systems made of structural steel and cables were tested. The nonlinear behaviour of the two-way beam string structures studied by using finite element model and compared to experimental results. The displacement of the LVDT in the center of the beam correspond with the ABAQUS results. 2,200MPa cable can afford to bear breaking load than 1,860MPa cable. The two-way beam string structures is correlated to the finite element model and the experimental results. In consequence, It showed that the system with two-way cables exhibits much better structural performances than H-Beam structures and beam with cable.