Interim Report

Prepared for: Dr. Pouria Hafiz

By: Muhammad Hasanov

H00116623

Contents

Introduction

Aim and objectives..

Literature
review.

A progress in report and planned

schedule
Conclusion

References

Introduction
The project is an experimental research on behavior of composite
beams. Composite beams are a broad topic which includes shear
connectors, and composite beams. Composite construction is
economical with some other benefits such as fast track construction,
reduces the use of columns in construction leaving open space and it
causes smaller depth for beam which reduces the overall height of the
building. Shear connectors are used that concrete and steel acts as a
single structure and these composite structures are stiffer and have
high load capacity than steel and concrete with the same dimensions
when used as a single material. Shear connectors are easy and fast to
install with its considerable stiffness. Concrete slab is connected to
steel section with shear connectors. Steel is in tension and concrete in
compression.
Objectives
The objectives of the project are:

 To test the structural behavior of simply supported composite

beams taking into account of characteristics of shear connectors.
To show understanding of structural behavior of composite
beams/sections based on experimental, theoretical and practical
investigations.
To provide detailed guidance in design of composite structures by
analyzing composite beams according to the practicality features.
Literature review
When concrete flange is connected to the steel beam, compression
carried by concrete and tension is carried by steel. Shear connectors
transfer forces between concrete and steel sections. Shear connectors
are usually welded or shot fired in order to connect to steel flange.
The advantages of using composite structure are stiffness and strength
increase 1.5 2.5 times in resistance against moment and flexure and
as well economical by using smaller steel beam size. Headed shear
connectors are widely used with diameters of 13 mm to 25 mm and
height of 65 mm to 100 mm. it has a ultimate strength of minimum
450 N/mm2.
In modern engineered composite sections have higher load carrying
capacity than those pure concrete and steel members because shear
connectors provide proper composite action between two materials. In
current days, shear connectors are designed based on Eurocode 4 and
normally two types of failure are given attention. They are:
When shear connector under shear force
Surrounding concrete crushing of shear connectors
Under sagging and hogging moments shear resistance of connectors
are reduced some percentage by multiplying 0.8 and 0.6 respectively
in practical applications. When composite beam is subjected to sagging
moments, concrete part is in compression and steel in tension. Loading
configuration depends on neutral axis; sometimes it is in concrete slab
or upper part of steel section according to the dimensions. In the
hogging moment, there is cracking in concrete floor. It shows concrete
has little resistance to hogging.
The design of composite beams was covered in part 3 of Eurocode 4. In
simply supported beams, moment resistance is calculated by plastic
design method. Neutral axis of composite section might be in concrete
slab or in upper part of steel section depending on the sizes of two

material sections and strength, taking into account of strength of shear

connectors as well. In plastic design method, all shear connectors
were assumed to be rigid.
A progress in report and planned schedule
Brief investigation on this broad topic has been done to get main
objectives. Experimental, theoretical and practical investigation will be
done on behavior of composite beams/structures using lab experiment,
literature on the subject, and eurocode 3 and 4 for practical
construction quality.

Conclusion
In conclusion, composite beams are economical and have higher
stiffness than single used concrete or steel material. It causes to
decrease steel section and in construction height of overall building.
When concrete in sagging moment concrete flange in tension and steel
in compression.
References
British standard institution. BS EN 1994-1-1: Design of Composite
Steel and Concrete Structures. European committee for
standardization, 2004.
Johnson, R.P. and Anderson, D. Designers Handbook to Eurocode
4, London, 2001
Australian institute of steel construction and standards Australia.
Composite Beam Design Handbook in accordance with AS2327.1,
SAA HB91.1997.
Oehlers, D.J. and Johnson, R.P The strength of stud shear
connectors in composite beams. The Structural Engineering,
1987, 65 (2), 44-48.