Numerical investigation of steel-concrete composite beams using flexible shear connectors

This paper focuses on the investigation of the flexural behaviour of steel-concrete composite beams through non-linear finite element analysis. Both geometries, as well as material non-linearity, are considered. Steel-concrete composite beams are typically made consisting of a hot-rolled I-section steel beam and a concrete slab that is connected monolithically by using a shear connector. A shear connector is one of the key elements for developing the composite action used in steel-concrete composite structures. This paper deals with the flexible shear connectors such as studs and channels designed as per the Indian standards 11384. Initially, the FE models are validated by making comparisons with the experimental test results obtained by previous researchers, as available in the literature. In the present study, thirty three-dimensional simply supported composite beams are created and analysed using finite element commercial software package ANSYS15 workbench version subjected to two-point loads. The degree of shear connection, the strength of steel section and the geometry of stud and channel connectors are the primary parameters considered for the present research work, and the results are compared. The overall flexural response is provided, including failure modes, load-central deformation behaviour, and interface slip, as well as the effects of yield strength of steel, the geometry of the stud and channel shear connector along with the degree of shear interaction, are evaluated. The results show that the degree of interaction, the geometry of shear connectors and steel yield strength have significant influence. Subjected to flexure, steel-concrete composite beam section with channel connector is less evaluated so far; therefore, in the present research work, channel shear connector is taken into account to evaluate the flexural behaviour with the consideration of varying grades of steel section along with the degree of interaction and to compare the results with a different section of shear connectors.