2.14.

13 Composite Beam Design per the American LRFD 3rd edition code Page 1 of 6

2.4.2.9 Composite Beam Design per the American LRFD 3rd edition
code

The design of composite beams per the 3rd edition of the American LRFD code has been
implemented. The salient points of this feature are as follows:
Figure 2-2: Nomenclature of composite beams

Theoretical Basis

1. Find the maximum compressive force carried by concrete as:

0.85 f ⋅b⋅t
c
2. Find the maximum tensile force carried by the steel beam as:
A .f
s y
Tensile strength of concrete is ignored.
3. If step 1 produces a higher value than step 2, plastic neutral axis (PNA) is in the slab.
Else, it is in the steel beam.
Location of the Plastic Neutral Axis (PNA) defines the moment capacity:

l Case 1: PNA in the slab

Find the depth of the PNA below the top of the slab as:
0.85fc⋅b⋅a = As⋅fy

Rearranging terms:

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a = As⋅fy/(0.85fc⋅b)
Figure 2-3: Plastic neutral axis in the concrete slab

Lever arm
e = d/2 + hr + t - a/2

Moment Capacity
φb(As⋅fy)e

l Case 2: PNA in Steel Beam

Define:

Cs = Compressive force in slab = 0.85fc⋅b⋅t

Cb = Compressive force in steel beam

Tb = Tensile force in steel beam

Cs + Cb = Tb

Since the magnitude of Cb + magnitude of Tb = As⋅fy

Substituting for Tb as (As⋅fy - Cb) gives:

Cs+ Cb = As⋅fy - Cb

Rearranging terms:
Cb= (As⋅fy - Cs)/2

Determine whether the PNA is within the top flang of the steel beam or inside the
web:

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Cf = Maximum compressive force carried by the flange = Af⋅fy

Where:

Af = Area of the flange

If Cf ≥ Cb, the PNA lies within the flange (Case 2A)

If Cf < Cb, the PNA lies within the web (Case 2B)

l Case 2A: PNA in Flange of Steel Beam

Calculate:
y = Cf/(bf⋅fy)

Where:

bf = width of the flange

The point of action of the tensile force is the centroid of the steel are below the
PNA. After find that point, e1 and e2 can be calculated.

Figure 2-4: Plastic neutral axis falls within the top flange

Moment Capacity
φb(Cf⋅e1 + Cs⋅e2)

l Case 2B: PNA in Web of Steel Beam

Figure 2-5: Plastic neutral axis falls within the web

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Cw = Compressive force in the web = Cb - Cf

g = Cw/(tw⋅fy)

Where:

tw = thickness of the web

The point of action of the tensile force is the centroid of the steel area below the
PNA. After finding that point, e1, e2, and e3 can be calculated.

Moment Capacity
φb(Cs⋅e2 + Cf⋅e1 + Cw⋅e3)

Utilization Ratio = Applied Moment / Moment Capacity

Notes

1. Rib Height is the distance from top of flange of steel beam to lower surface of
concrete.
2. If the slab is flush on top of the steel beam, set the Rib Height to zero.
Figure 2-6: Steel deck form ribs

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3. For moments which cause tension in the slab (called positive moments in STAAD
convention), design of the beam is presently not carried out.
4. Shear connectors are presently not designed.
5. Member selection is presently not carried out.
6. In order to design a member as a composite beam, the member property
specification during the analysis phase of the data must contain the “CM” attribute.
See "Assigning Properties from Steel Tables" for details.
Table 2-4: Composite Beam Design Parameters for AISC-LRFD
Parameter Default
Description
Name Value
RBH 0.0 in. Rib height for steel form deck.
EFFW Value used in Effective width of the slab.
analysis
FPC Value used in Ultimate compressive strength of
analysis the concrete slab.

Example

STAAD SPACE
…
MEMBER PROPERTY
1 TA CM W12X26 CT 6.0 FC 4.0 CW 40.0
…
PERFORM ANALYSIS
…

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PARAMETER
CODE LRFD
RBH 5.0 MEMB 1
CHECK CODE MEMB 1
FINISH

Related Information
2.9 Composite Beam Design as per AISC-ASD
1.7.7 Composite Beams and Composite Decks

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