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a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t
Article history: Steel–Concrete Composite (SCC) structural systems are increasingly used in the construction industry and be-
Received 10 July 2018 coming the subject of intensive research by the world's leading universities and companies because of their effi-
Received in revised form 7 January 2019 cient material usage. This review paper summarises some historic and recent developments as well as the new
Accepted 7 January 2019
trends for SCC systems. It presents the design philosophy and specific definitions for basic structural elements,
Available online xxxx
including composite beams and slabs with emphasis on the applications, static tests, modelling techniques, de-
Keywords:
sign approaches as well as current design limitations. This paper concludes with a call for more research for
Steel-concrete composite the improvement of Eurocode 4, which in turn can help the fast-growing construction industry to take full advan-
Shallow flooring systems tage of the benefits of composite construction techniques implemented with safety.
Lightweight © 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Design method
Applications
Experimental testing, finite element analysis
Contents
⁎ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: k.tsavdaridis@leeds.ac.uk (K.D. Tsavdaridis).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2019.01.007
0143-974X/© 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
I.M. Ahmed, K.D. Tsavdaridis / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 155 (2019) 286–300 287
1. Scope of study beams were first tested in Canada at the Dominion Bridge Works
in 1922. Welded shear studs were first tested at the University of
The scope of this review paper is to give an overview of current Illinois in 1954, which led to the publication of a design formula
developments in steel-concrete composite (SCC) beams and flooring in 1956 and the first use of shear studs in bridges and building pro-
systems, as well as to clarify and support future research directions jects in the same year. The partial interaction theory was proposed
and trends which the industry will take in the coming years. The driving in 1951 by the team from Illinois. Metal decks first appeared in the
forces of research in this field are the following: (i) Innovative construc- 1950s, with the first recorded use of through deck stud welding on
tion methods and new construction products, (ii) Best usage of new and the Federal Court House in Brooklyn in 1960. It was not until 1978,
underdeveloped materials, and (iii) Socioeconomic and environmental however, that this arrangement was recognised in the AISC
considerations towards sustainability and resilience. specification.
The breakdown of this review paper is given in below for the ease of Within Europe, parallel developments had been taking place, in
the readers: 1950 a “Provisional Regulations for the Design of Girders in Composite
Codes of Practices
Composite Beams Composite Slabs and Specifications
(Eurocodes)
In contrast, a new type of composite systems which is used in steel are developed to replace the downstand composite beam including
frame building construction is the steel-concrete composite (SCC) the Slimfor presented by ArcelorMittal [6], and Ultra-Shallow Floor
beam which behaves better than the jack arch slab for the seismic Beams (USFB) presented by Kloeckner Metals UK | Westok [7]. The shal-
loads. Composite beams are defined as; “elements resisting only flexure low flooring systems offer many advantages compared with the
and shear that comprise two longitudinal components connected to- downstand composite such as reducing the overall height of a building
gether either continuously or by a series of discrete connectors” [2]. for a given number of floors which maximise the number of floors,
The downstand composite beam is the most common type of composite achieving flat soffit with complete freedom for the distribution of ser-
beam. It consists of a composite slab sitting on the top flange of the vices below the floor.
beam connecting through the deck by the use of welded shear studs ArcelorMittal's Slimflor is characterised by incorporating the main
connections. The composite slab comprises from in situ reinforced con- steel beams into the structural floor depth, typically achieving a mini-
crete cast on top of the metal deck with two types trapezoidal or re- mum floor depth of about 300 mm [8]. The steel beam is designed as a
entrant, as shown in Fig. 2. special type of girder with the bottom flange be wider than the upper
The depth of the trapezoidal metal deck can be over 200 mm deep, in flange. This arrangement allows for the floor slabs to sit on the lower
this case, it called as a ‘deep’ metal deck. In this type of trapezoidal metal flange of the beam so that the two components thus comprise the
deck, additional reinforcement can be located through the metal deck floor. Different types of the slimflor beam are used in practice, however,
troughs [3]. This type of construction shows a number of advantages the floor slabs are divided into two generic types: (a) deep composite
as the decking acts as formwork and a working platform during the con- slabs, and (b) the precast concrete slabs. The shear connection in this
struction stage with the wet concrete, and as an external reinforcement system is represented by the bonding between the concrete slab and
at the composite stage. It could also provide lateral restraint to the the slimflor steel beam. Different types of Slimflor structures are pre-
beams during the construction stage. This type of construction signifi- sented in Fig. 3, with a limited span of about 9 m. This type of construc-
cantly reduces the erection/installation lifts when compared with pre- tion offers a number of advantages such as reducing total floor thickness
cast units because the decking is lifted in large packages during the (approximately 250 mm to 400 mm) based on general structural ar-
construction stage, which is then easily separated through the floor rangements, constructing floors of variable thicknesses, incorporating
area. Trapezoidal decking of 80 mm deep can span up to 4.5 m while under-floor services, creating an open working space by reducing the
deep decking with 200 mm deep can span 6 m without propping during number of intermediate columns, enhancing the fire resistance of
construction. floor, and reducing the cost [9]. Slimflor construction is widely used
To increase the span of the downstand composite beam, another for residential buildings which require a minimum floor-to-floor height
type was established with the use of precast concrete unit slab sits on as low as 280 mm, for hospitals as the control of vibration is important
the top flange of the downstand steel beam. The effective span range as well as the integration of services is required, and for car parks; in
of the downstand composite beam with a precast unit is around 6 m particular, basement car parks where structural depth is limited.
to 12 m, which makes it a competitor the concrete flooring options To increase the span of the slimflor beams a new shear transfer tech-
and the composite downstand beam with metal decking. The Concrete nology is used in this type of slimflor beam is known as concrete dowels
Centre defines as hybrid concrete construction a method of construction shear connection which connects the slimflor beam (SFB) with the con-
which integrates the same precast concrete (hollow-core slabs) and cast crete slabs on either sides as the concrete dowels passing through the
in-situ concrete frames to make the best advantage of their different in- openings, as shown in Fig. 4 [10]. These concrete dowels shear connec-
herent qualities. There are other hybrid construction methods combin- tion allows for the slimflor to extend the span from 9 m with a depth of
ing the use of various materials such as timber, concrete, and steel. 300 mm to 12 m with a depth of 350 mm. This newer development for
However, this paper focuses only on steel-concrete composite structural the slimflor is the so-called composite slimflor beam (CoSFB). The ad-
systems which are known as systems used for steel frames. The stud vantages of the CoSFB are enhancing the structural performance of
shear connection is required a specific detailing when precast units slimflor construction, achieving longer spans (up to 12 m), achieving
are used so that the body of the precast units can be mobilised (follow shallower depths than the standard slimflor beams, reducing the num-
the plastic neutral axis of the composite system) as part of the concrete ber of intermediate columns, enhancing the fire resistance of floor, and
compression flange. Precast units should be as light as possible to ease reducing the cost [10].
the transportation, lifting and, positioning processes. Another type of shallow floor beams, which is a comparable type to
On the other side, the steel sections of the downstand composite CoSFB, is developed by Westok which is used a different type of shear
beam are often heavier than needed as the flanges thickness increases connection, compared with the CoSFB, called ‘plug’ composite action.
with the increase of steel section span [4]. The downstand composite This type of shallow floor beams is called as Westok's USFB system
beam is not a cost-effective solution for structures that consist of col- which involves a shallow asymmetric cellular beam from Westok
umns and walls placed at short distances across the building which has reinforcing bars passing through the holes connecting the
(e.g., residential buildings, hotels etc.) [5]. In such buildings, electric concrete slab with the steel beam. The composite action of the USFBs
and hydraulic services are mainly placed horizontally on the floor is represented by ‘Plug’ which has been confirmed using laboratory
sides (within the walls) and are not as many as the services required full-scale testing [11], as shown in Fig. 5. The ‘plug’ composite action
for offices. For the aforementioned reasons, shallow flooring systems can be used with different slab type arrangements; i.e., composite slab
Fig. 2. Composite Slabs Types (a): Re-entrant decking, (b): Trapezoidal decking [2].
I.M. Ahmed, K.D. Tsavdaridis / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 155 (2019) 286–300 289
Fig. 3. (a) Slimflor construction with deep composite decking, (b) Slimflor construction with precast concrete slab [8].
with metal deck and concrete casting above or level with the top flange, with span to depth ratio equal to 35 for office buildings. The lower weight
precast units with a minimum 50 mm topping above or level with the is enabling for longer spans which is another advantage, especially for of-
top flange, hollow-core units (see Section 3.1) with every second core fice buildings but also for architectural purposes where adding columns
broken out and filled with in-situ concrete and re-bars through the can be undesirable or unfeasible. The amount of concrete needed is also
hole, and in-situ solid slabs with concrete casting above or level with reduced, making this system both economical and more environmentally
the top flange as illustrated in Fig. 6. The economic span of the USFBs friendly while its carbon footprint is reduced. Transport cost is also a piv-
is up to 10 m with the structural depth of 300 mm compared with otal economic factor. Initially, the steel beam was designed in bending as
CoSFB with a maximum span of 12 m with the structural depth of a separate entity from the concrete precast unit while no account was
350 mm. considered. In addition, there is no much design guidance to cover a
wide range of material and geometric variables found in this form of con-
3. Steel-concrete composite beams struction. One of the first studies was carried out at the University of Not-
tingham where three full-scale bending tests of composite downstand
This section presents different types of flooring systems, Table 1 pro- beams with precast hollow-core slabs were conducted in 2000 [13].
vides a summary of flooring systems from the literature and identifies The bending tests consisted of 356 × 171 × 51 mm S275 UB which are
the completed numerical and experimental investigation. loaded in four-point bending with a simply supported span of 5.7 m, to-
gether with 150 mm deep×1200 mm wide HCUs connected using
3.1. Composite downstand beams headed studs shear connections. From the tests, it was apparent that
the composite beams are twice as strong and approximately three
The composite beams further examined here are the ones mainly times as stiff as the equivalent isolated steel beams initially considered
used nowadays due to the technical and economic benefits they offer. – it is worth to note that there is some in-situ concrete fill around the
The most common type is the downstand beam which is connected to shear studs and transverse reinforcement which is providing the longitu-
in-situ reinforced concrete slabs or composite slabs consisted from pro- dinal shear capacity. The shear capacity of the headed studs shear con-
file metal deck with shear stud connectors welded on site through the nectors used with precast hollow core slabs was also investigated
thin galvanized sheets. This type of composite construction has disad- through finite element (FE) modelling taking into account the linear
vantages relating to the high operational cost of the site welding, the and non-linear behaviour of all the materials [14]. The accuracy of the
delaying in curing wet-in-situ concrete in cold weather, achieving of model was demonstrated through the validation against test results.
short spans corresponding to the depth for example 150 mm floor More parametric studies investigated the effect of change the transverse
depth with a maximum span of 4 m without propping and 210 mm gap size, transverse reinforcement diameter, and in-situ concrete
depth with a span of 7 m with propping, the moderate dynamic, ther- strength on the shear connection capacity. Furthermore, the shear capac-
mal, and acoustic performances [12]. To improve some of these limita- ity of the headed shear studs used with precast hollow core slabs was also
tions a new type of composite beam was later proposed which is examined through 72 full-scale push tests [15]. These tests were vali-
incorporating factory-produced precast hollow-core slabs with steel- dated with seven push-out tests with headed studs in solid RC slabs.
concrete composite beams as shown in Fig. 7. The term ‘hollow-core’ Newly proposed design equations for calculating the capacity of shear
refers to cylindrical voids which run internally along the length of the studs for this form of composite construction were provided.
precast slabs, thereby reducing the weight of the slab, typically by Research also expands to the use of composite beams made of cold-
about 35%. The main advantage of using hollow core precast units formed steel sections that work together with concrete, and they can
(HCU) slabs is its excellent structural capacity to self-weight ratio, offer high flexibility in design as well as enabling shallow slab depths,
Fig. 6. (a) USFB with Precast Hollow-core Slabs, (b): USFB with deep metal deck [11].
I.M. Ahmed, K.D. Tsavdaridis / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 155 (2019) 286–300 291
Table 1
Flooring systems types.
Composite Slimflor Asymmetric ITECH floor beam Delta floor beam USFB CoSFB
downstand beam beam Slimflor beam
Type of shear Shear stud connection Shear stud Using top flange Bearing concrete passing Bearing concrete passing Plug composite Concrete dowel
connection connection embossment through the web opening through the web opening action shear shear
connections shear connection shear connection connection connection
Span limitation 4–6 with metal deck 5–10 6–7.5 7.5–15 Up to 13.5 Up to 10 Up to 12
(m) 6–12 with HCU
Depth limitation steel depth + 280–320 310–340 300 and N 300 200–500 300 350
(mm) (120–160) mm slab
depth
Fire performance 30–240 60 90 40 60 40 60
(min)
Vibration N.A. N.A. N.A. N3 N3 N3 N3
performance (Hz)
half hexagon pattern cell. To support the deck non-structural channels system has shown adequate vibration capacity which is N3 Hz. The fire
have been fixed to the bottom flange of the steel beam. The composite resistance of iTECH system achieves 40 min which less than the slimflor
action is provided by the bond strength of the interface between the beam with 60 min. It is indicated that further studies are needed to ex-
concrete slab and the steel beam without the need for shear connections amine the suitability of using other types of slabs, such as hollow core
compared with the stud shear connections used in slimflor beams. In precast slabs and composite slabs with the iTECH beam technology.
addition, the bearing strength of the concrete passing through the
web openings is providing a connection between the steel and the con- 3.5. Delta composite beams (DELTABEAM)
crete. The advantages of the iTECH floor beam system are: reducing the
construction cost by about 5.6% and 6.8% compared with that of steel or Another innovative type of shallow floor beams called Deltabeam
RC frame structures, respectively; reducing the construction time com- which comprises from a steel boxed section with web openings is first
pared with that of RC slabs; improving the construction quality and con- introduced by Peikko Group. The shear connection is created by the
struction management; providing a flexibility in planning; and reducing bearing concrete passing through the web openings, which are regu-
the depth of the floor due to shallower beam depth. The iTECH floor larly spaced along the steel beam, is different from the shear connection
beam can span from 7.5 m to 15 m with a depth of 300 mm including used in slimflor beam. Several types of slabs can be used with
the services and N300 mm including the duct space compared with Deltabeam, such as hollow core precast slabs or other types of compos-
the span of slimflor beam of 5-10 m with a depth of 280–320 mm. The ite slabs. It is available with a variety of depth ranging from 200 mm to
contribution of each shear component in the iTECH floor beam such as 500 mm (excluding concrete depth) for both single and multi-span
steel web, inner concrete panel, and the outer concrete panel has been beam arrangements, as shown in Fig. 11. According to the manufacturer,
experimentally investigated and a design methodology for calculating it achieves a span of 13.5 m with a depth of 500 mm compared with
the shear capacity was proposed [27]. Another research has focused 10 m of slimflor beam and 15 m of ITECH beam [31]. The advantages
on the evaluation of the shear and flexural capacities of iTECH beam of using Deltabeam are the reduced construction height, the rapid and
[28] and the results have shown that iTECH beam can be efficiently easy installation, and the cost-efficiency of the system. One of the funda-
used as a shallow floor beam system for high-rise residential buildings. mental components in Deltabeam construction is the concrete dowel
The flexural behaviour of iTECH beam was also assessed using a simple connection. The shear-slip properties of the concrete dowel connection
beam test [29]. The results were compared with the Slimflor beam and were examined extensively through push-out tests using various edge
the iTECH bare (non-composite) steel beam to evaluate the horizontal profiles in the circular plate opening [32]. A modification was also ap-
shear resistance under construction loads. A satisfactory horizontal plied to Deltabeam to increase its vertical shear resistance by using
shear resistance and a good composite behaviour have been obtained headed shear studs and take advantage of its tensile resistance when
for the iTECH composite system. Since the depth of iTECH system is embedded in concrete to make it behave as a “tie” in composite
less than the typical SCC beams, the serviceability design was question- beams [33]. Later on, studies examined the flexural behaviour of long
able and hence, the vibration characteristics of the iTECH system were simply supported Deltabeam and the results demonstrated that a bene-
then tested at each construction stage (i.e., erection stage, concrete cast- ficial structural response indicates that such properly reinforced slim
ing stage, and finishing stage) [30]. The serviceability responses were floor beams can be implemented by the designers not only for typical
also evaluated according to JIS, ISO, and DIN standards. The iTECH ultimate states but also for the extreme cases, such as progressive col-
lapse and accidental loadings [34]. The fire resistance and vibration per-
formance of Delta beam have been examined and it achieves 60 min and
N3 Hz [35,36] [Vibration Performance of Composite Floors Using Slim
Floor Beams]. It is recognised that further studies are required to exam-
ine the fire resistance of Deltabeam to satisfy the requirements. (See
Fig. 12.)
Fig. 8. (a) Typical composite cold-formed beam sections [14], (b) New composite beam system [15].
universal column. This configuration has reduced the weight of the tests. The failure mechanism of the shear connection was extensively
beam and increased shear and moment capacity. The shear connection studied which led to the development of a calculation method for the
is formed by the concrete which is passing through some or all of the shear resistance of the shear connection [40]. Furthermore, two types
web openings, depending on the configuration of the metal deck (shal- of concrete (normal and fibre-reinforced concrete with synthetic fibres)
low or deep, respectively), is similar to the shear connection used in were also used for the concrete slabs and push–out shear tests of the
iTECH beam and Deltabeam and different from the shear connection USFB system was performed to examine the relationship between the
used in slimflor beams. The effective span of the USFB is up to 10 m concrete strength and the shear connection [41]. The research can be
with a depth of 300 mm, therefore it achieves longer span with evolved by further improving the tensile strength of the normal con-
shallower depth compared with other shallow floor beams (slimflor crete as well as the sustainability aspect with the use of steel fibres, plas-
beam, iTECH beam, and Deltabeam). Like other systems, this construc- tic fibres, and waste steel wires [42]. Aiming to make the USFB system
tion methodology minimises the structural depth and weight of the span longer, be lighter and shallower, the SLS and in particular, the vi-
composite systems. It is recommended that re-bars are provided within bration criteria should be met. Experimental and numerical models
the web openings to improve the continuity of the slabs either side of representing the floor were analysed focusing on the fundamental fre-
the beam web. This form of concrete dowels enhances the longitudinal quencies in order to understand the probability of resonance of the
and vertical shear resistance as well as the fire resistance [37]. In case of USFBs [43–45]. The comparison showed that the slabs with fixed sup-
deep metal decks, the composite systems can be designed in such a way ports were more preferred as they yield higher natural frequencies
in order to allow for (approximately) every 2 web openings to posi- while, as it was anticipated, the increase of the slab span reduced the
tioned where the troughs of the metal deck are, thus leave the opening natural frequencies. Interestingly, it was observed that the slab thick-
free to service integration, such as the incorporation of passive air ness (i.e., type of metal deck – shallow or deep) significantly affected
cooling/heating pipes. During a PhD research published in 2012 from the natural frequencies while there is parabolic behaviour (change of
City University London, in collaboration with Westok (Kloeckner Metals the effect at a thickness of 150 mm–measured from the bottom steel
UK), it was demonstrated that ducting pipes can replace the tie-bars flange upwards, for both fixed- and pinned-support slabs) which was
without loss of structural integrity, providing the ducts were not located consisted in all computational experiments independent of the support
near areas of high vertical shear forces [38]. The contribution of concrete conditions, spans and modelling technique [44]. This type of floor
which lies between the flanges of the USFB steel section to resist the beams shows an adequate vibration capacity and fire resistance how-
vertical shear forces was extensively investigated [11,38]. The results re- ever, more research is suggested in the area of fire performance of
vealed a significant increase in shear resistance of the USFBs comparing USFBs when steel and plastic fibres are employed.
with the bare perforated steel beams. Another interesting aspect of the
USFB system is the overall flexural action which was addressed in a 3.7. Composite slim floor beams (CoSFB)
study of partially encased USFBs. The main objective was to establish
the bending resistance of the composite USFB beam and longitudinal The most recently developed slimflor is the composite slim floor
shear resistance of the unreinforced and reinforced ‘plugs’ using either beams (CoSFB) which consist of a steel section with web openings
tie-bars and bearing concrete (concrete dowel), ducting, or headed and a plate welded to the bottom flange. The shear connection between
shear studs welded transverse to the web [39]. It was established that the steel beam and concrete slab in this type of slimflor beam is pro-
the shear transfer mechanism of the USFBs beams is different from the vided by the concrete dowels which is different from the shear connec-
conventional headed shear studs as investigated through push-out tion used in slimflor beams and similar to the shear connection used in
Fig. 9. (a) Composite Slimflor, (b) Slimflor with ComFlor 225 or PC Unit [18].
I.M. Ahmed, K.D. Tsavdaridis / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 155 (2019) 286–300 293
Fig. 10. Asymmetric Slimflor beam incorporated with ComFlor225 deep decking [23].
Table 2
Building projects with selected flooring systems.
Integrated floor beam Hollow core ArcelorMittal Office Building Luxembourg, German offices 1993
Slimflor beam Hollow core Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital Udine, Italy Hospital 2013
Slimflor beam Cofradal slab200 Petrusse Building Luxembourg, German offices 2016
Slimflor beam Cofraplus 220 Galerie Kons building Luxembourg, German offices, retail shops, residential flats, 2016
underground parkings
CoSFB Cofradal slab 260 University residence Nimes, France residential 2016
USFB Hollow core precast slab Phoenix Medical Centre Newbury, UK Hotels and retails 2010
handling of the prefabricated units as well as reduces the need for form- improving the vibration response. However, a complex behaviour is
work and propping during construction. Its thermal properties were shown by SCC beams when subjected to lateral loading due to a num-
also optimised in the design of the new system using insulation mate- ber of factors such as the interface slip between the steel beam and the
rials. It also shares a common feature with the flat ribbed slabs, due to concrete slab, the variation of longitudinal stress through the slab
the ribs as shown in Fig. 13, which further minimises the overall floor width, and the overall configuration of different types of models. Due
depth and weight in addition to the use of lightweight concrete and to the aforementioned reasons, it is important to account for local con-
shallow thin-walled C channels. The manufacturing process and the nections (for example, the interface behaviour between steel and con-
particular composite mechanism developed offer three key advantages crete) for the analysis of SCC structures in addition to the local
[54]: (i) the reduced number of erection (installation) lifts by using behaviour of structural systems (such as beam-to-column connections
lighter elements and the wider possible units to fit road tracks for trans- and base plates). A plethora of experimental works and FE analyses
portation; (ii) the reduced site work by the full offsite fabrication - ex- have been performed to improve the understanding of SCC structures
amining the material cost against the fabrication and site erection while a number of numerical modelling procedures have been
costs are proportionally in the order of 35% and 65%, respectively; and established and validated to simplify the analysis of these hybrid struc-
(iii) the reduced energy consumptions and CO2 emissions by using tures. In addition, commercial FE packages (such as ANSYS, ABAQUS,
prefabricated lightweight materials. The unique shear transfer mecha- ADINA, DIANA, LS-DYNA, and MIDAS) use validated constitutive
nisms of the proposed flooring system are formed by the combination models which confirm on the description of post-peak material charac-
of dowels and web-welded studs with two different types of concrete teristics; for example, the strain hardening and softening, the tension
and have been investigated through push-out test [55], while the re- stiffening, the shear retention ability, etc. [58].
search is still ongoing. Consistent behaviour is demonstrated by this
type of shear connection system with plastic distortions occurring be- 5.1. Modelling of SCC systems
fore and after the ultimate load. In general, the shear capacity of the con-
nectors increases with the increase of the concrete strength. It is Researchers have been developed various models in order to accu-
suggested that further studies are required to investigate the bending rately and reliably represent the behaviour of SCC systems based on ei-
behaviour of large span PUSS slabs as well as their fire performance es- ther concentrated or distributed plasticity. Nonlinear analysis models of
pecially due to the prefabricated nature of it with PUSS units placed next SCC elements and frames found in the literature can be generally
to each other and back-to-back steel. Table 4 shows different spans and categorised into micro-models using continuum finite elements, and
depths of the ultra shallow flooring system with lightweight concrete of macro-models using macro-elements such as line elements and spring
a density of 1700 kg/m3. (See Figs. 14 and 15.) connections.
Table 3
Load span of Cofradal slab with depths b300 mm [51].
Floor Type Maximum Span (m) Unit Depth (mm) Overall Floor Depth (mm) Total Floor Weight (kN/m2) Live Load (kN/m2) Unit Width (mm)
Table 4
Span limits for the proposed flooring system.
Floor Type Concrete Type Concrete Maximum Overall Floor Total Floor Live Load (kN/m2) Unit Width (mm)
density kg/m3 Span (m) Depth (mm) Weight (kN/m2)
Fig. 14. (a) Cross section of Cofradal slab, (b) Cofradal slab [51].
6.2. Design of downstand composite beam Nc,s,Rd is the concrete compressive resistance over the effective width
of the slab (Nc,s,Rd = 0.85 fcd beff hc), where fcd is as defined in BS
6.2.1. Partial shear connection EN 1994-1-1, beff is the effective width at the position of maximum
The design of composite beams is regularly controlled by the degree moment, and hc is the depth of concrete above the profile, PRd is the
of shear connection that is provided. Therefore, it is not possible to de- design resistance of the shear connectors used with profiled sheeting
velop the full plastic moment resistance of the composite section in (i.e., PRd as multiplied by kt or kl).
cases where a fewer number of shear connectors than the number re- For the case when the tensile resistance of the steel beam is less than
quired for full shear connection are provided. This is known as a partial the compressive resistance of the concrete slab (Na,RdbNc,s,Rd), the max-
shear connection. The degree of shear connection is defined as at the imum force that could be developed in the slab = Na,Rd and the degree
point of the maximum moment, but partial shear connection occurs at of shear connection can be re-espressed as:
all points in the span, depending on the build-up of longitudinal shear.
The degree of shear connection is defined in BS EN 1994-1-1, Nc; max
η¼ ð6Þ
§6.6.1.2 as: Na;Rd
n
η¼ ð4Þ
nf
6.2.2. Linear interaction method
There are two methods of determining the bending resistance of a
Where nf is the number of shear connectors required for full shear con-
composite section with a partial shear connection. The simplified
nection, n is the number of shear connectors provided between the
method which is the called ‘linear-interaction’ approach given in BS
points of zero and maximum moment.
EN 1994-1-1, §6.2.1.3. The reduced bending resistance is given by BS
In the case where the tensile resistance of the steel beam exceeds the
EN 1994-1-1, §6.2.1.3(5) may be expressed as:
compressive resistance of the concrete slab over its effective slab width
(either limited by concrete compresive resistance of by shear connec-
tion provided) (Na,Rd N Nc,Rd), the above formula can be re-expressed as: MRd ¼ Mpl;a;Rd þ η Mpl;Rd −Mpl;a;Rd ð7Þ
Nc; max Where η is as defined in Eq. 5 or Eq. 6, Mpl,Rd is the bending resistance of
η¼ ð5Þ
Nc;s;Rd the composite section with the full shear connection, Mpl,a,Rd is the
bending resistance of the steel section.
Where Nc,max is the total shear force transferred by the shear connec- For adequate design, MEd ≤ MRd, where MEd is the design bending
tors between the points of zero and maximum moment which is moment applied to the beam. The verification may be repeated at open-
equal to (=nPRd), Na,Rd is the tensile resistance of the steel section, ing positions by redefining the shear force transferred as Nc = nsc PRd,
where nsc is the number of shear connectors from the support to the
opening position in the span. Np ¼ AP f y ð13Þ
The linear interaction method is conservative with respect to rigid
plastic theory (sometimes referred to as the ‘stress block’ method). Where:
Lam et al. [79] proposed a design methodology of Slimflor beam with Mc: moment capacity of slimflor beam for full shear connection;
headed stud shear connectors. The stress block method has been imple- Ms: moment capacity of slimflor beam for full shear connection;
mented for the design of the slimflor beams at the ultimate load condi- Nc,f: concrete resistance;
tion. The design procedures are described in accordance with the ha: depth of concrete lies between the steel beam flanges;
principles of Eurocode 4 [78] with two different types of shear connec- hs: depth of concrete above the top steel flange;
tors (headed stud shear connectors and horizontal headed stud shear Np: resistance of steel plate;
connectors). tp: depth of bottom steel plate;
• Slimflor beam with headed stud shear connectors: tw: depth of steel web;
fy: yield tensile strength of steel.
The design formulas given in Eurocode 4 [78] can be used to evaluate
the shear capacity of the headed studs shear connectors in slimflor In the case of partial shear connection, the shear force which pro-
beams. The concrete failure represented by Eq. (9) while the failure of vided by the number of shear connectors Nq will be less than the
the headed studs represented by Eq. (10). The smaller value form shear capacity required to transfer the interface shear force needed.
these two equations is used in the design. The composite slimflor beam can be designed with a partial shear con-
nection. The moment capacity for the slimflor beam for partial shear
0:8fuπd =4
2 connection Mc,partial is given by Eq. 15.
PRd ¼ ð9Þ
ɣv
ha y ha tp Nq −Np 2
Mc;partial ¼ Ms þ Nq hs þ − þ Np þ − ð15Þ
2
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi 2 2 2 2 4tw f y
0:29αd f ck Em
PRd ¼ ð10Þ
ɣv
Where:
Where: Nq
y¼ ð16Þ
0:85beff f ck =ɣc
fck: cylinder compressive strength of concrete.
Ecm: modulus of elasticity of concrete [N/mm2]. Nq: is the longitudinal shear resistance of the shear connectors.
fu: ultimate tensile strength of headed stud (450 N/mm2).
γv: partial safety factor, taken as 1.25 in UK NA and 1.50 in German NA. • Slimflor beam with horizontal headed stud shear connectors:
α: factor for the height of stud, given by 0.2(h/d + 1) ≤ 1, for 3 ≤ h/d
≤ 4. The design shear force of headed studs close to a concrete edge is
d: headed stud's diameter. controlled by a failure which is caused by splitting forces in the slab
thickness direction. The rules for calculating the shear resistance of
The effective breadth of the slabs beff is different for the ultimate and headed stud for the ultimate limit state were based on extensive work
serviceability limit states. For internal beams it can be taken as span/4 of two doctoral theses [80,81], which have been integrated into EN
however, the value of effective breadth should not exceed the distance 1994-2, Annex C. The design shear resistance for the longitudinal
between the beam centres. The moment capacity of the composite shear case is determined using Eq. (17) and for transverse shear using
slimflor beams depends on the concrete resistance Nc,f and steel resis- Eq. (18). These equations can be used to estimate the ultimate shear ca-
tance (steel section Na, steel plate Np), which are calculated from the fol- pacity of the horizontal headed studs shear connectors in slimflor
lowing equations. beams:
f ck 0:4
Nc; f ¼ 0:85 b hs ð11Þ 1:4 kv ð f ck d ar Þ ða=sÞ0:3
ɣc eff PRd;L ¼ ð17Þ
ɣv
Na ¼ Af y ð12Þ Where:
298 I.M. Ahmed, K.D. Tsavdaridis / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 155 (2019) 286–300
a'r: effective edge distance (= ar - cv - φs /2 ≥ 50 mm); α: shear performance of the combined shear connectors;
kv = 1 for shear connector lies in an edge position; Puc: design shear force of the shear connectors.
= 1.14 for shear connector lies in a middle position;
ɣv: Partial safety factor according to the National Annex, usually The concrete slab compressive resistance in full shear connection, Rc,
taken as 1.25; is determined in accordance with BS5950 & EC4.
fck: characteristic cylinder compressive strength of concrete (N/mm2);
d: diameter of stud's shank (19 ≤ d ≤ 25 mm); Rc ¼ σ c;Rd Be D ð22Þ
h: headed stud's overall height for h/d ≥ 4;
a: stud's horizontal spacing (110 ≤ a ≤ 440 mm); Rc: concrete slabs full compressive resistance for full composite
s: stirrups' spacing for both (a/2 ≤ s ≤ a and s/a'r ≤ 3); action;
φs: stirrups' diameter for φs ≥ 8 mm; σc,Rd: concrete compressive stress; which obtained from Eq. 23 ac-
φl: longitudinal reinforcement's diameter for φl ≥ 10 mm; cording to the BS5950, and from Eq. 24 according to EC4.
cv: vertical concrete cover (mm).
0:7 σ c;Rd ¼ 0:45fcu ð23Þ
0:5 0:4
0:012 ð f ck φl Þ ðd a=sÞ ðφs Þ0:3 a0r;o kv
PRd;V ¼ ð18Þ
ɣv σ c;Rd ¼ 0:85fcd ð24Þ
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