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The Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2015, 9, 171-176 171

Open Access

Analysis of Stress and Deflection about Steel-Concrete Composite Girders

Considering Slippage and Shrink & Creep Under Bending

Cheng Haigen*

School of Civil Engineering, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang, JiangXi, 330013, P.R. China

Abstract: Steel-concrete composite beams are composed of concrete slabs and steel girders by shear connectors. Due to
the limited rigidity of shear connector and the shrink & creep property of concrete, the relative slippage exists between
concrete slab and steel girder under bending, and it is difficult to analyze the effect of those factors by the ordinary beam
theory , the finite element method(FEM) and so on. A differential equation of equilibrium is constituted corresponding to
the compatibility of deformation and the equilibrium of forces about steel-concrete composite beams under particular
assumed condition. Finite difference method (FDM) and variation principle are used to solve the differential equation. An
example of steel-concrete composite T girder is given to analyze the effect of slippage and concrete shrink & creep on its
stress and deflection. The concrete slab stress increases with the rigidity increment of the shear connectors. The stress of
the steel girder and the deflection of the composite girder decrease with the rigidity increment of the shear connectors.
Keywords: Differential equations, relative slippage, steel-concrete composite beams, shrink & creep, variation principle.

1. INTRODUCTION 2. DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION OF THE COORDI-

Composite beams are usually composed of the concrete
slab which bears compressive stress and the steel beam
which bears the tensile stress. This combination respectively
takes full advantage of tensile capacity of steels and
compression capacity of concretes. For this kind of beam,
there are larger difference between the stress calculated by
the primary beam theory and the actual stress. The
discrepancy reflected not only on the distribution of stress
along the transverse section, but also on the relationship
between stress and time. In order to solve this problem,
many scholars have done a certain degree of research and put
forward some feasible calculation theories and methods,
such as energy-variational method, the finite plate strip
method and the finite element method, and so on [1-3]. Some
researchers do corresponding model experimental research
[4-7]. Kristek solved the problem by using the method of
series [8], under the condition of not considering the
condition of relative slip. However, the fact is that steel
beam and concrete plate of steel - concrete composite beam
were combined together by shear connectors [2]. Because the
stiffness of connecting bond is limited, there is a relative slip
tendency between steel beam and concrete slab. What's
more, because concrete has the property of shrinkage and
creep, it is necessary to consider the influence of the property
and relative slip of concrete. According to the principle of
deformation compatibility and equilibrium conditions, this
paper deduced the equilibrium differential equation of
composite beam under the condition of considering the
relative slippage, and verified the reliability and the accuracy
of the approximate method by giving examples.
*Address correspondence to this author at the School of Civil Engineering,
East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330013, P.R. China;
Tel: 13879104029; E-mail: bridge407@126.com
NATION OF BALANCE AND DEFORMATION
2.1. The Basic Assumptions
The steel concrete composite girders are shown in
Fig. (1), Several assumptions are as followings [9, 10]:
(1) There is no vertical detachment between concrete slab
and steel about composite girder under bending. That is,
both of them have the same vertical displacement.
(2) The displacement does not occur at any cross section in x
direction (As shown in Fig. 1). Namely, lateral bending is
not existed.
(3) The maximum shear angles difference function of
concrete slab and flange plate of steel beam is f (zt).
And the distribution function of shear angle on transverse
section is (x).
(4) The shear connectors is mainly distributed in the junction
of flange plate and Web, and the relative slip between the
concrete slab and steel beam are mainly concentrated in
there. Whats more, slip will be linear with respect to the
shear force of shear connectors.
(5) It is only considered that the normal strain z and
shearing strain xz of concrete slab on longitudinal
direction (z direction), ignored that the strain out of plane
and of transverse; [10] Fig. (6). It is only considered that
the normal strain z of steel beam on longitudinal
direction, other strain is ignored.
(6) Shear force will be linear with respect to the strain on
steel beam. The linear elastic onstitutive relations for
shear force and strain of concrete is satisfied.

1874-1495/15 2015 Bentham Open

172 The Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2015, Volume 9 Cheng Haigen

Z(k)
Z(k)
concrete slab X(i)
X(i) O
b1 tw b2 O b2 b2
concrete slab

yc
Gc

tc
Gc

yc

tc

ys
ys
b1 shear connector

tf
h

h
stiffenershear connector

t1
H

H
Gs
Gs tw
steel box beam steel beam

t2
Y(j)
Y(j)

a) Composite box girder b) Composite T-girder

Fig. (1). Cross section of typical composite girder.

2.2. Establishing the Differential Equation and Solutions (2) In the junction of flange slab and Web (x)=0. This
condition is to simplify the relative slip function between
When load is applied on beam, the deformation of cross
concrete slab and steel beam.
section is shown in Fig. (2). The displacement component of
concrete slab and steel beam on Z direction (longitudinal According to the conditions above, the relative slip
direction) respectively is wc(z,t) and ws(z,t). The function between concrete slab and steel beam can be
displacement components of both of them on y direction obtained by formula (1) and (2).
z, t ws z, t wc z, t vz, t h
(vertical direction) is v(z,t). Then the displacement vector (3)
form of an arbitrary point on concrete slab and steel beam
can be expressed as the following: Where, h represents the distance between concrete
slab and steel beam. centroid axis because of the relative
uc x, y, z, t vz, t j wc z, t y yc vz, t f z, t x k
(1) slippage and the linear relationship of interaction between
Steel beam contact surfaces, constitutive relation of shear connectors can
be obtained as the following:
us x, y, z, t vz, t j ws z, t y ys vz, t f z, t xk
(2)
q z z, t Rs z, t R(ws wc vh) (4)
Z(i) 2
where, RS is the stiffness of shear connectors (kN/mm ).
yc

wck
ys

According to the formula (1) and (2), the strain and stress
vj of an arbitrary point on concrete slab and steel beam
wsk
respectively are
v' Concrete slab
vj

v' z x, y, z, t wc y yc v f
(5)

xz x, y, z, t f

z Ec z Ec wc Ec y yc v Ec f (6)

Fig. (2). Deformation diagrams of composite girder Concrete slab. zx G xz Gf

Where, z means the distance on z direction from an Steel beam

arbitrary point to the origin of coordinates; y means z x, y, z; t ws y ys v f (7)
the distance on x direction from an arbitrary point to the
origin of coordinates; yc and ys respectively represent the z x, y, z; t Es z Es ws Es y ys v Es f (8)
distance from part of concrete-steel beams centroid axis to
reference axis. j, k are respectively unit vector on the where, Es is the elastic modulus of steel; Ec is the elastic
reference coordinates y and z axis. modulus of concrete; G is the shear modulus of concrete.
According to the assumption of (3) and (4), the lateral Assuming that the composite beam are in a state of
distribution function (x) of the maximum difference f (z, t) balance under the body load B (z, t) and the surface load s
of the shear angle will satisfied the following conditions: (z, t) Assuming that the longitudinal displacement (wc,ws),
the vertical displacement (v) and the maximum difference of
(1) At the midpoint and the side of flange plate the first shear and angle f (z, t), both of them have a slight change
derivative is zero, which ensures the shear stress is zero (v,wc,ws,f). According to the principle of virtual work,
at here; virtual work made by the external force in distance constant
Analysis of Stress and Deflection about Steel-Concrete Composite Girders The Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2015, Volume 9 173

equal to that made by micro section stress resulted p y z , t b da s dl b da s dl

y y y y
in deformation. Namely
Ac Ac As As

pcz z, t b da s dl
L

[ N w N w (M
0
c c s s c M s )v cf cf
Ac
z
Ac
z

L mz, t b y y da s y y dl b y y da s y y dl

z c z c z s z s
q z (ws wc hv)]dz ( p yv Ac Ac As As

psz z, t b da s dl bz, t b da s dl
0
z z z z
pczwc pszws mv bf )dz As As Ac Ac

[T v Ncwc N sws Mv f ]0L (9) Resultant of forces at the end section surface

Where ,Nc, Ns respectively represent the axial force

which synthesized by the section stress of concrete slab and
T s da s da
Ac
y
As
y

steel beam; Mc, Ms respectively represent bending

moment synthesized by the section stress of concrete slab
and steel beam; cc respectively represent double
Nc s da N s da
Ac
z s
As
z

bending moment and double shear force which synthesized

by the section stress of concrete slab; Py is the force resolved
by resultant of forces on y direction; PCZ, PSZ respectively is
M s y y da s y y da s da
Ac
z c
As
z s z
Ac
the force resolved by resultant of forces on concrete slab and
steel beam on z direction; M is the total bending Where, Ac, Ic respectively is the area of concrete slab
moment caused by the force worked on each corresponding and the moment of inertia on the centroid axis of the cross
centroid axis, and the force is resolved by the load on section; AsIs respectively is the area of steel beam and the
concrete slab and steel beam on z direction; b is the load moment of inertia on the centroid axis of the cross section.
resolved broadly on z direction under the condition of
considering the shear lag effect of concrete slab; T is
S da I
Ac

Ac
2
da
I d 2da .
Ac
resultant of forces which synthesized by the surface load on
y direction; N c , N s respectively is resultant of forces which Putting the formulas above into the formula (9). By using the
theory of subsection integral, the equilibrium differential
synthesized by the surface load on steel beam and the
equation and corresponding boundary conditions can be
end section of concrete slab resolved on z direction; M obtained as followings:

respectively is the bending moment and double bimoment
which synthesized by load at the end of Section, and the load Ec Ac wc sh
S f Rs ws wc vh pcz

is resolved by surface load on z direction; Each resultant of
Es As ws S f Rs ws wc vh psz (10)
forces is given as :


Resultant of forces on section stress E c I c Es I s v hRs ws wc vh p y m


N s z , t z da E s As ws E s S f ; Ec S wc sh Ec I f

Ec 0 I d
f b
As 21

M s z , t z y y s da E s I s v Boundary conditions
As
E A w
c c c sh Ec S f N c wc 0L 0

da E A w S f

N c z , t
z c c c sh
Es As ws S f N s ws 0L 0
(11)
Ac

M c z , t
Ec I c Es I s v M v 0 0
y y da E I v
L

z c c c

Ac

Ec I c Es I s v hRs ws wc vh T m v 0L 0

c z , t zda Ec [wc sh I f ]
Ec S wc sh Ec I f f 0L 0


Ac

c z , t xz da GI d f It is very difficult to get the analytical expression of

Ac
formula (10), Numerical solution is usually used to solve this
problem. Among numerical method, the difference method is
Resultant of forces on imposed load high accurate. This paper will not introduce the difference
method in addition. Readers can refer to the relevant content
in the reference [11].
174 The Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2015, Volume 9 Cheng Haigen

3. AN EXAMPLE change of deflection will be larger. As shown in Fig. (6), the

As is shown in Fig. (3), each end of the beam is
consolidated, using the corresponding model of the
shrinkage and creep of concrete in specification [12].
Assuming that in the negative moment zone of the beam has
prestressed reinforcement, namely, tensile stress will not
appeared in the tension zone of concrete beam. The strength
of Concrete is fck=35MPa, Poisson ratio is=0.15, the
elastic modulus of steel is E=2.1105MPa, relative
humidity of environmental respectively is 75% and 50%,
even load is 64.1kN/m, The stiffness of shear connector
effect of environmental humidity on the deflection of
composite beam is not too obvious. If the stiffness of shear
connector is larger, the influence of environmental humidity
on the deflection of composite beam will be larger.
no considering shear lag effectt30days
considering shear lag effectt30days
no considering shear lag effectt3630days
considering shear lag effectt3630days
0
RH=75%,Rs=6kN/mm2

deflection(mm)
respectively is 0.6kN/mm2 and 6kN/mm2. 1

6
0 4 8 12 16 20 24(m)
girder axis
a) Beam deflection at Rs=0.6kN/mm2

no considering shear lag effectt=30

considering shear lag effectt30
no considering shear lag effectt3630
considering shear lag effectt3630
0
1
deflection(mm)

2
a) Cross section
3 RH=75%,Rs=0.6kN/mm2

4
5
6
7
0 4 8 12 16 20 24(m)
girder axis
b) Structural sketch
b) Beam deflection at Rs=6kN/mm2
Fig. (3). A typical sample.
Fig. (4). Effect on deflection about shear lag.
As shown in Fig. (4), it is the influence of shear lag effect 0
to deflection about composite beam. if it is considered that RH=75%,Rs=0.6kN/mm
2

shear lag effect, theoretical calculation results of deflection 1 RH=50%,Rs=0.6kN/mm

2

will be larger. A long with the time, deflection of composite RH=75%,Rs=6kN/mm

2

2
deflection(mm)

beam will be increased accordingly. Shear lag effect also RH=50%,Rs=6kN/mm

2

will have a certain influence on deflection of composite 3

t=3630days
beam. And as the increasing of stiffness of shear connectors,
the degree of influence will increase gradually 4

There are shown in Fig. (4) and Fig. (5) that the influence 5
of the stiffness of shear connector and environmental relative 6
humidity to composite beam. With the stiffness of shear
connector increased, the beams deflection reduced 7
accordingly. With the development of concrete shrinkage 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 (m)
girder axis
and creep, beams deflection increased, but the increase has
relation with the stiffness of the shear connectors. If
Fig. (5). Effect on deflection about the rigidity of shear connectors.
the stiffness of shear connectors is larger, the magnitude of
Analysis of Stress and Deflection about Steel-Concrete Composite Girders The Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2015, Volume 9 175

As shown in Fig. (7) and Fig. (8), with the development CONCLUSIONS
of shrinkage and creep of concrete, the section internal force
According to the above results of the sample, it is not
will redistribute and the stress of the concrete slab will vary
with time. When load is applied on concrete slab initially, difficult to draw the following conclusions:
the stress will change much quicker. This can improve that 1. If it is considered that lateral uneven distribution of
the development of the shrinkage and creep of concrete in section stress on Composite beams, the value of
the early time is much quicker, while after eight months later deflection will be larger than that calculated by
stress of the concrete slab changes very slowly. Because ordinary beam theory, the deflection of composite beam
of the existence of shear connectors in composite beam, it will increased accordingly over time. But with
will have an effect on the redistribution of section internal the stiffness of shear connectors increased, its influence
force after the beam applies load. The larger of the stiffness degree will gradually increase.
of shear connector, the more advantage the distribution cross 2. The deflection of composite beam will decrease with the
section stress will get.
increase of stiffness about shear connector, and it will
Rs=0.6kN/mm2,t0=30days increase with the development of creep and shrinkage
0 Rs=0.6kN/mm2,t=3630days about concrete, But the increase relevants to the
Rs=6kN/mm2,t0=30days stiffness of the shear connectors. If the stiffness of shear
1 Rs=6kN/mm2,t=3630days connectors is bigger, the magnitude of the change of
deflection(mm)

2 relative humidity:RH75% deflection will be larger.

3 3. When the environmental relative humidity is much
bigger, the corresponding stress will change slower,
4 because the development of shrinkage and creep of
5 concrete is much slower.
In summary, when the composite is bended, the main
6
influence factor about stress and deflection is the stiffness of
7 shear connectors. The Increase of the stiffness about shear
0 4 8 12 16 20 24(m) connectors bond will have advantages on decreasing the
girder axis deflection of beam. The change of humidity environment
Fig. (6). Effect on deflection about RH of surrounding. will have little effect on the final value of stress and
1.5 deflection.
2
1.0 RH=75%,Rs=0.6kN/mm
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
stress((MPa)

2
0.5 RH=75%,Rs=6kN/mm
The authors confirm that this article content has no
the one-eighth section
0.0 conflict of interest.
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
-0.5 Time(day) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2
RH=75%,Rs=0.6kN/mm
-1.0 The authors wish to acknowledge the support and
RH=75%,Rs=6kN/mm
2 motivation provided by the National Natural Science
-1.5
Foundation of China (Grant No. 51068005).
The one-second section
-2.0
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Received: September 17, 2014 Revised: December 17, 2014 Accepted: December 23, 2014

Cheng Haigen; Licensee Bentham Open.

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