Composite Beams and

Columns

General Provisions
When determining load effects in members and
connections of a structure with composite
members consider effective sections at the
time each increment of load is applied.
Properties of the concrete and reinforcing steel
are per ACI 318
Available strength of members is from either
plastic stress distribution or strain compatibility
Tensile strength of concrete is assumed to be
zero

Plastic Stress Distribution

Available strength assumes steel has
hit yield stress in either tension or
compression, and the concrete in
compression is at 085 fc
This method is typically used for regular
sections

Strain compatibility method

Linear strain distribution across the
section is assumed.
Maximum concrete compressive
strain of 0.003 is used
We use this method in Structures:
Compressive

Encased composite columns

Cross-sectional area of steel must be
at least 1% of total cross-section
Concrete encasement must be
reinforced with continuous longitudinal
bars and lateral ties/spirals
Transverse reinforcement 0.009 in 2/in

Reinforcement ratio must be at least

0.004

Available Compressive
Strength
For axial load encased column, limit case of
flexural buckling
c = 0.75 and c = 2.00

P0 = As y + Asr sr + 0.85A f

'
c c

P0 = nominal elastic compressive strength without

length effects (kips)
As = area of steel section (in2)
Asr = area of continuous reinforcing bars (in 2)

Ac = area of concrete (in2)

y = yield strength of steel section (ksi)
yr = yield strength of reinforcement (ksi)
fc = concrete compressive strength (ksi)

Elastic buckling strength

EIeff
2

Pe =

(KL)

EIeff = effective rigidity of composite

section (kip-in2)
K = effective length factor
L
= laterally unbraced length of the
member (in)

Effective rigidity
EIeff = E sIs + 0.5E sIsr + C1 E c Ic
Es = modulus of steel (ksi)
Ec = modulus of concrete (ksi)
Is = moment of inertia steel section (in 4)
Isr = moment of inertia reinforcement
(in4)
Ic = moment
concrete (in4)
Aofinertia

C1 = 0.1+ 2 s 0.3
Ac + As

Nominal compressive
strength
If Pe 0.44 P0
P

0
Pe
Pn = P0 0.658

Else (Pe < 0.44 P0)

Pn = 0.877Pe

Shear Connectors
It is necessary to ensure that load is
transferred from the concrete to the
steel
Shear connectors accomplish this
Resist the shear force between the
slab and beam
Prevent separation of the slab from
the beam

Shear Connectors
Stud connectors are the most common in U.S.
Short round steel bar, welded to the beam at one
end, with a head at the other end.
Diameter from 12 in. to 1 in. and lengths from 2 to
8 in.
The ratio of the length to diameter 4.
Most commonly used sizes are 34 in. or 7/8 in.
dia.

Head diameter is 12 in. larger than stud and

the head thickness is 3/8 in. or 12 in.

Shear studs
ASTM-A108, AISI Grades C1010, C1015, C1017 or
C1020 cold-drawn steel with a minimum tensile
strength of 60 ksi and a minimum elongation of
20%
specified in the AWS Structural Welding Code D1.1-75.

To prevent premature failure of studs because of

tearing of base metal, the size of a stud not
located over the beam web is limited to 2 12 times
the flange thickness.
The strength of stud connectors increases with
stud length up to a length of about four diameters
and remains approximately constant for greater
lengths

Equivalent shear force

V = required shear force
When external force is applied to the
steel section A
s y

V ' = V 1

When external force is applied to the

concrete
encasement
As y
V ' = V

P
0

Distribution
Shear connectors that can hold the
required V must be distributed along
the length for at least 2.5 times the
depth of the encased column above
and below the applied load
Maximum spacing is 16
Connectors must be on at least 2
faces, symmetrically

Shear Connectors

Additional issues
At least four longitudinal bars must be
used.
Transverse reinforcement must be spaced
at the lesser of
16 longitudinal bar diameters
48 tie bar diameters
Half of the least dimension of the composite
section

At least 1.5 inches of clear cover is required

Built-up Composite columns

If the steel section is built from two or
more encased steel shapes, the
shapes must be interconnected
Lacing
Tie plates
Batten plates
Etc

To prevent buckling of individual

shapes

Shear strength of a
connector
Qn = 0.5Asc f E c Asc u
'
c

Asc = cross-sectional area of stud

(in2)
Ec = modulus of concrete (ksi)
u = tensile strength of connector
(ksi)

Floor beam
Girder

Effective width
b
tc

Yc

hr

tw

tf
bf

Shear Connectors

Steel section

Concrete Slab

Ribbed steel deck