Abstract
![CDATA[Composite construction as we know it today was first used in both a building and a bridge in the U.S. over a century ago. The first forms of composite structures incorporated the use of steel and concrete for flexural members, and the issue of longitudinal slip between these elements was soon identified [1]. Composite steel–concrete beams are the earliest form of the composite construction method. In the U.S. a patent by an American engineer was developed for the shear connectors at the top flange of a universal steel section to prevent longitudinal slip. This was the beginning of the development of fully composite systems in steel and concrete. Concrete-encased steel sections were initially developed in order to overcome the problem of fire resistance and to ensure that the stability of the steel section was maintained throughout loading. The steel section and concrete act compositely to resist axial force and bending moments. Composite tubular columns were developed because they provided permanent and integral formwork for a compression member and were instrumental in reducing construction times and consequently costs. They reduce the requirement of lateral reinforcement and costly tying, as well as providing easier connection to steel universal beams of a steel-framed structure. Composite slabs have been introduced recently to consider the increase in strength that can be achieved if the profiled steel sheeting is taken into account in strength calculations. Composite slabs provide permanent and integral reinforcement, which eliminates the need for placing and stripping of plywood and timber formwork. More recently, composite slab and beam systems have been developed for reinforced concrete framed construction; this provides advantages similar to those attributed to composite slabs for reinforced concrete slab and beam systems. These advantages include reduced construction time due to elimination of formwork, and elimination of excessive amounts of reinforcing steel. This subsequently reduces the span-to-depth ratios of typical beams and also reduces labor costs. In this chapter, a thorough review is given of research into composite construction, including beams, columns, and profiled composite slabs. Furthermore, design methods are herein summarized for various pertinent failure modes.]]
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Civil Engineering Handbook, |
Editors | Wai-Fah Chen, J. Y. Richard Liew |
Place of Publication | Boca Raton, Fla |
Publisher | CRC Press |
Number of pages | 62 |
Edition | 2nd. |
ISBN (Print) | 0849309581 |
Publication status | Published - 2003 |