Enhancing the efficiency of using deformable aluminum alloys in composite constructions

Deformable aluminum alloys have found extensive application in construction, either as standalone bar or sheet structures or as components in composite constructions based on concrete or wood. The latter type is gaining traction due to its ability to counterbalance the negative properties of one material with the positive attributes of another. Combining aluminum and wood enables the creation of structures with high physico-mechanical properties, aesthetic appearance, and good serviceability, including in some chemically aggressive environments or under exposure to low temperatures. This study examines the load-bearing capacity of aluminum-wood floor panels, focusing on the influence of rib crosssectional shape and the type of deformable aluminum alloy from which they are fabricated. The upper sheathing of the panels under study consists of 12-mm thick plywood sheets. The ribs are directed downward and positioned along the perimeter as well as transversely in the middle, at the junction of the plywood sheets. The types of aluminum profiles used include a rectangular tube measuring 60×120×4 mm, a channel measuring 100×40×3 mm, and an I-beam measuring 116×100×5 mm. The profile materials are chosen from three commonly used aluminum alloys: 6061, 6063, and 7075, all thermally treated to T6 conditions. To select the most effective cros s-sectional shape and alloy for the ribs in the composite floor panel, numerical modeling was carried out using the finite element method in the ANSYS software suite. The results yielded stress and vertical displacement isofields. Based on the combined performance and techno-economic indicators (strength utilization factor, stiffness, and cost), the channel profile made from 6061 T6 and 6063 T6 alloys is recommended as the most optimal choice for panel ribs. The research was carried out within the state assignment in the field of scientific activity of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (theme FZUN-2024-0004, state assignment of the VlSU).