2 8 @ 2 2 2 ff @ 2 = 9.1 Composite sections COMPOSITE BEAMS & SLABS ‘The term composite can be used of any structural medium in which two ‘or more materials interact to provide the required strength and stiffness. Insteelwork construction the term refers to cross-sections which combine steel sections with concrete in such a way that the two act together as one unit. Typical cross-sections of beams and slabs are shown in Fig. 9.1 Precast units Profiled steel sheeting ’ 1 In situ concrete Headed stud ‘connectors Steet UB ‘The performance of composite beams is similar to that of reinforced concrete beams, but there ate two main differences. Firstly, the steel section has a significant depth and its second moment of area may not be ignored, unlike that of the steel bar reinforcement. Secondly, the concrete to reinforcement bond, which is essential for reinforced concrete action, is absent in composite beams generally and must be provided by shear connection. Design methods for composite beams therefore follow those methods for reinforced concrete with modifications as indicated. Due to the presence of the concrete slab, problems of steel compression flange instability and local buckling of the steel member are not usually relevant in simply supported members except during erection. Recommendations for design in composite construction are not included in Part 1 of BS 5950 but are included in102 STRUCTURAL STEELWORK DESIGN TOBS 5950 od 92 Part 3: Design in composite construction (to be published) Part 4: Design of floors with profiled steel sheeting (1982) The basis of design used in this chapter is given in Section 9.7. COMPOSITE BEAMS The advantages of composite beams compared with normal steelwork beams are the increased moment capacity and stiffness, or alternatively the reduced steel sizes for the same moment capacity. Apart from a saving in material, the reduced construction depth can be worth while in multi-storey frames. The main disadvantage of composite construction is the need to provide shear connectors to ensure interaction of the parts, ‘As in all beam design. shear capacity and moment capacity of a composite section must be shown to be adequate. But in addition the strength of the shear connection must be shown to be satisfactory. both with regard to connector failure and also local shear failure of the surrounding concrete (see Section 9.4). For full interaction of the steel and concrete, sufficient shear connection must be provided to ensure that the ultimate moment capacity of the section can be reached. Lower levels of connection will result in partial interaction which is not covered in this chapter™ Composite beams are essentially T-beams with wide concrete flanges. The non-uniform distribution of longitudinal bending stress must be allowed for and this is usually achieved by use of an effective breadth for the concrete flange. For buildings the effective breadth b, may be taken as one-fifth of the span (simply supported). Continuous beams and cantileveis are treated differently (see BS 5950: Part 3) SHEAR AND MOMENT CAPACITY OF COMPOSITE BEAMS The shear capacity of a composite beam is based on the resistance of the web of the steel section alone, Calculation of the shear capacity P. is given in Section 3.7(¢): P, = 0.6p,Ay Moment capacity is based on assumed ultimate stress conditions shown in Figs 9.2 and 9.3, When the neutral axis lies in the conerete slab (Fig. 9.2) the value of x, may be found by equilibrium of the tension and compression forces. The moment capacity M- is given by: Me = Agpj(de + D/2~ x,/2) When the neutral avis lies in the steel section (Fig. 9.3) the value of Age may be found by equilibrium. The centroid of the compression steel Age must be located, and moment capacity Mis given by Mc = Appy(D/2 + def2) — 2A sop (die — de/2) EeEEEE2. Moment capacity (NAjin slab) ig-9.3 Moment capacity (NA instee! bear) a 93 COMPOSITE BEAMS SLABS 103 sf al ee . fy = Aaty!OA ody Stee area on = 7c fj |_9,8 faba oF Ay o/2 — 0.2 fPse/ Pp Steel area As SHEAR CONNECTORS Many forms of shear connector have been used, of which two are shown in Fig. 9.4, but the preferred type is the headed stud. This combines ease of fixing with economy. Shear connectors must perform the primary function of transferring shear at the steel /concrete interface (equivalent to bond), and hence control slip between the two parts. In addition they have the secondary function of carrying tension between the parts and hence controlling separation. ‘The relationship between shear force and slip for a given connector is important in design where partial interaction is expected. For the design in this section, where full interaction is assumed, a knowledge of only ae oe as EF Headed studs ASA offouls