Chapter 9
Design of Composite
Constructions
Chapter 9 0
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
1. Introduction:
Composite beams are used in roadway bridges and industrial buildings. They are rarely used in
railway bridges due to the dynamic effect of rolling stock. Figure (1) shows various types of
composite steel-concrete sections
2. Composite action:
Composite action is developed when two load carrying structural members such as concrete
floor system and supporting steel beams are integrally connected and deflect as a single unit. The
developing of composite action depends on the provisions made to insure a single linear strain from
top of concrete slab to the bottom of the steel beam.
-A horizontal slippage resulting from the bottom of the slab in tension and the top of
the beam in compression.
-Only vertical internal forces act between the slab and the beam.
-There are two neutral axes, one at the center of gravity of the concrete slab and one at
the center of gravity of the steel beam.
3. Composite section:
A) Steel beam:
Rolled section and welded plate girder can be used.
B) R.C. slab:
The slab may rest on the steel beam or on concrete hunch increasing the capacity of the
composite section.
The minimum thickness of R.C. slab shall be:
For roofs; t >8.0 cm.
For floors; t >10.0 cm.
for slab carrying moving loads; t >12.0 cm.
Chapter 9 2
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
The concrete thickness must be 10.0 cm at least above the steel beam. Thinner slab thickness has to be
provided with hunches as in Fig. 3
C) Shear connectors:
The bond between the concrete slab and the steel beam is not dependable. Therefore,
mechanical shear connectors must be provided. They are welded to the top of the steel beam and
embedded on the concrete slab to transmit the longitudinal shear and to prevent any slip and to prevent
slab uplift. They may take the shapes of the figure below.
bE
fmax fx
Consider the composite section under stress (Fig. 6), in which the slab is infinity wide. The
intensity of the extreme fiber compressive stress, σ x maximum over the steel beam, and decreases
non-linearly as the distance from the supporting beam increases. The effective width of a flange for a
−
composite member may be taken bE = b f + 2 b where 2b times the maximum stress σ x is equal
−
1. For interior girders with slab extending on both sides of girders; bE is the least of the
following:
L/4
bo = spacing between girders from center to center
12 ts + bf
2. For exterior girders with slab extending only on one side of girders; bE is the least of the
following:
L/12 + bf
0.5 (bo + bf)
6 ts + bf
8. Methods of design:
In design of composite section, two different methods of erection are to be considered;
I) When no temporary intermediate supports are used under steel beam during pouring and
setting of concrete slab.
- The steel beam carries the dead load.
- The composite section carries the additional live load and any load applied after
setting of concrete.
II) When effective temporary supports are used under the steel beam during pouring and setting of
concrete.
Method (I) is more economic than method (II) although the steel section in method (II) is smaller than
in method (I).
The neutral axis of the composite section is to be calculated from the following equation if the
cooperation of concrete in tension is neglected.
Chapter 9 5
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
Chapter 9 6
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
I) If the construction is done by method (I), (no temporary supports), the dead load is carried
by the steel beam and the shear stress due to live load only is carried by the connectors. But to allow
for shrinkage and creeping effect;
The design loads for connectors are;
(0.5 Dead Load + Live Load)
II) If the construction is done by method (II), (by using temporary supports),
The design loads for connectors are;
Total (Dead Load + Live Load)
e is inversely proportional to Q. The connectors are arranged at small intervals near the support and at
bigger intervals near the middle.
Example I:
Chapter 9 7
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
Loads:
The composite action reduces the weight of steel (20 to 30 %), then;
Effective width:
be = bo = 200 cm
= bf + 12 ts = 13.5+12*10 = 133.5 cm controls
= L/4 = 175.0 cm
be (transformed) = bE / n = 13.35 cm
Y = {13.35*10*(5+27) + 45.9*(27/2)} /
[13.35*10+45.9] = 27 cm Yt
4. Check of stresses:
Chapter 9 8
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
The steel section sustains dead loads, while the composite section sustains live + floor loads
Mdl = 3.37 t.m
f (top of steel) =f (bottom of steel = 3.37*100 / 429 = 0.785 t/cm2
Where the stresses in the concrete slab is I/n times the stresses on the transformed section
Case I Case II
0.785 10
27.5
+ =
27
27.5
Chapter 9 9
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
The design loads for connectors = (0.5 Dead Load + Live Load + flooring load)
=0.5*0.55 + 0.7 =0.975 t/m
Q = W*L/2 = 0.975*7.0 / 2 = 3.4 ton
The design loads for connectors are =Total (Dead Load + Live Load + flooring loads)
= 0.55 + 0.7 = 1.25 t/m
Q = W*L/2 = 1.25*7.0 / 2 = 4.375 ton
Check of deflection:
Chapter 9 10
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
Composite Columns
The objective of this section is to introduce composite columns, to describe their behavior and
to explain the design method for axially loaded composite columns.
All cross-sections are symmetrical about both axes and in addition can be reinforced.
There are many advantages associated with the use of composite columns: small cross-sections, for
example, can be designed to withstand high loads; similarly, sections with different resistance, but
identical external dimensions, can be produced by varying steel thickness, concrete strength and
additional reinforcement. Thus the outer dimension of a column can be held constant over a number of
floors in a building, simplifying architectural detailing. Economic efficiency also results from the use
of concrete - a low cost material - and from the time saved by using the highly developed connection
techniques of steelwork construction.
With concrete filled profiles (Figure 1 d-f), the steel section serves as formwork during casting.
Concrete filled sections, therefore, provide the opportunity to erect the steel frame of a building and
afterwards fill the cross-sections by pumping in the concrete. By so doing the time of erection can be
reduced.
The protective steel casing also allows the concrete to achieve greater strength; in the case of
concrete filled circular hollow profiles, for example, the effect of confinement by the steel leads to an
increase in overall resistance. The influence of creep and shrinkage of the concrete can usually be
neglected for these sections. However, this influence must be considered for concrete encased profiles
(Figure 1a-c).
The complete encasement of the steel section by concrete (Figure 1a), generally fulfils the
technical requirements for high classes of fire protection without any additional measures. For partly
encased sections (Figure 1b and c), as well as for concrete filled sections, these requirements can be
achieved using additional reinforcement. Partly encased sections have the advantage that they can be
produced quite simply by casting the concrete whilst the steel section lies horizontally; 24 hours later
the column can be turned around and further concrete added, the formwork to the wet concrete being
provided by the steel profile. For sections similar to that shown in Figure 1b the tendency for the
concrete to drop out while turning the column must be avoided by suitable means, such as stud
connectors. Another important advantage of these partly encased sections is that there is still a
considerable area of steel available for connections, even after concreting.
Chapter 9 11
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
REQUIREMENTS
In order to qualify as a composite column, the following requirements shall be fulfilled:
• The characteristic 28- day cube strength of concrete, fcu, shall not be less than 250 Kg/cm2, nor
greater than 500 kg/cm2.
• Total cross sectional area of steel section shall not be less than four percent of the gross
column area.
• As ≥ 4% Ac
• Concrete encasement shall be reinforced with longitudinal bars and lateral stirrups to restrain
concrete and to prevent cover spalling. The cross section area of the longitudinal bars and
lateral stirrups shall not be less than .02cm2 per cm of bar spacing. The spacing of lateral ties
shall not exceed 2/3 b, or 30 cm, whichever is smaller.
Chapter 9 12
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
• For completely encased steel parts, verification of local buckling resistance is not necessary.
For larger steel parts, e.g. flanges in Figure 1a, sufficient concrete cover must be provided in
order to avoid splitting of the concrete. The minimum concrete cover in this case must not be
less than 40mm or 1/6 of the dimension of the steel part. For cross-sections according to
Figure 1a it follows:
• 40mm ≤ cz ≥ b/6.
The allowable compressive axial stress, Fc, for axially loaded composite column shall be
computed on the steel sectional area utilizing modified radius of gyration, yield stress and young’s
modulus, rm, Frm and Em respectively.
Where:
Fym = Fy + c1 Fyr (Ar / As) + c2 fcu (Ac / As)
Em = Es + c3 Ec (Ac /As)
λ = KL / rm
KL = buckling length, bigger of in-plane and out-of-plane buckling lengths.
rm = radius of gyration of the steel shape, pipe or tubing.
rm ≥ 0.3 bc for steel shapes incased in concrete
As, Ac and Ar are the areas of the structural steel, the concrete and the reinforcement, respectively.
Fym, Fy and Fyr are the modified yield stress, the steel structure yield stress, and the yield stress of
the reinforcing bars, respectively.
Design a composite column with length 8.0m, N= -100 tons, fcu = 300 Kg/cm². Use square
hollow section. Compare the results with the non-composite hollow square column.
- Assume fc = 0.58 fy = 1.4 t/cm²→Area req. = D.F. / 1.4 = 100 / 1.4 = 70 cm²
- For λ = KL / rm ≤ 180 → rm = 800/ 180 = 4.44 cm
In order to qualify the composite column design, it must be ensured that premature
failure of the thin parts of the cross-section, due to instability, cannot occur.
• t ≥ d √ (Fy / 3 Es) for square tub
- tmin = t ≥ d √ (Fy / 3 Es) = 250 √ (2.4 / 3 *2100) = 4.8 mm < 8mm ok
The allowable compressive stress, Fc, for axially loaded composite column shall be computed on the
steel sectional area utilizing modified radius of gyration, yield stress and young’s modulus, rm, Frm
and Em respectively.
Chapter 9 14
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
Chapter 9 15
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
Design a composite rectangular column with buckling length Lx = 8.0m, Ly = 4.0m, N= -25.0 tons,
Mx = 15 t.m, fcu = 300 Kg/cm².
- Assume fbcx = 0.5 fy = 1.2 t/cm² →Zx required = Mx / 1.2 = 1500/1.2 = 1250 cm³
- For λ = KL / rm ≤ 180 → rx = 800/ 180 = 4.44 cm → ry = 800/ 180 = 2.22 cm
In order to qualify the composite column design, it must be ensured that premature failure of the thin
parts of the cross-section, due to instability, cannot occur.
• t ≥ b √ (Fy / 3 Es) for rectangular tub
- tmin = t ≥ b √ (Fy / 3 Es) = 200 √ (2.4 / 3 *2100) = 3.9 mm < 10mm ok
The allowable compressive axial stress, Fc, for axially loaded composite column shall be computed on
the steel sectional area utilizing modified radius of gyration, yield stress and young’s modulus, rm, Frm
and Em respectively.
Chapter 9 16
Design of Composite Constructions
Design of Steel Constructions Third Year Civil
a- Use a composite I-section with a lower cover plate and use channel shear connectors.
(Temporary shores are used).
b- Use a composite I-section without a lower cover plate and use stud shear connectors (no
temporary shoring are used).
c- Use a non-composite I-section. Compare the results by problem I-2.
2) Find the maximum compression capacity of a concrete- filled hollow steel tubing on the basis
of composite design. The column has a buckling length of 6m. The cross-section is square tube
200*200*8 , steel St 37, and fcu of concrete is 300 Kg/cm2.
3) Check the adequacy of a concrete-filled rectangular steel tube 250*250*10, steel st 37, to be
used as a beam column. The column has a buckling length lx=6m, ly = 3m. The column is subjected to
an axial compression force = 50 ton. Fcu of concrete is 250 Kg/cm2.
Chapter 9 17
Design of Composite Constructions