Keywords: shear connectors, composite beams, shear interface, composite behaviour, capacity, model.

In this paper, a simplified approach which allows the determination of the composite beam behaviour. An experimental program was established for a series of composite beams with different spacing and types of shear connectors. Based on shear connector characteristics, full and partial actions are considered. The validity of this study was established by correlation of numerical model results obtained from computer finite element software with experimental test evidence. Previous investigations showed that the capacity of the steel concrete composite slab was found to be dependent upon the types of shear connectors, thickness of concrete and thickness of formed steel deck [1,2,3,4].

Two series of composite beams were prepared and tested. The first series contains four composite beams, and the second three beams. The variables in the test program are the spacings and the types of connectors. The test results indicated that the capacity of composite beams with hard connectors is larger than those of composite beams with mild connectors. It is noticed that the type of connectors slightly affects the capacity of the beams and that in the case of hard connectors, all beams develop full composite action while in the case of mild connectors, all beams with mild connectors did not develop full composite action.

Models were developed and the test beams were analyzed using two models; a finite element numerical model and a simplified empirical model. In the finite element method, the beams were modelled taking into account the non-linear behaviour of the materials. The comparison of the results obtained from the model with those from the test beams showed approximately similar results. The simplified empirical model is based on the spacing and types of the shear connectors. This has been taken into account by the introduction of a correction or composite action factor. Empirical curves that allow the determination of the correction factor were obtained.

On the basis of the test results and the analytical models obtained in this study, the significance and contribution of the shear connectors required to provide a full composite action were shown. The number of shear connectors affects the displacement of the composite beams but the type of shear connectors slightly affects the load capacity of the beams.

1

B.J. Daniels, M. Crisinel, "Composite Slab behaviour and strength analysis, Part II: Comparison with test results and parametric analysis", J. Struct. Engrg, 119, 1, 36-49, 1993. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1993)119:1(36)

2

R.M. Lawson, K.F. Chung, "Composite Beam Design to Euro code 4", The steel Construction Institute, Ascot, 1994.

3

J. Nie, Y. Xiao, L. Chen, "Experimental Studies on Shear Strength of Steel Concrete Composite Beams", Journal of Structural Engineering, 130, 8, 1206-1213, 2004. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2004)130:8(1206)

4

E. Tan, "Available and Required Rotations of Semi-Continuous Composite Beams", Thesis of Master Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 2005.

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