Shear Connections in Composite Flexural Members of Steel and Concrete

It's now available the book Shear Connections in Composite Flexural Members of Steel and Concrete. A unified theory on composite behaviour of flexural members made of components with different material properties is presented in this book. The applicability of the theory is general and it provides background for the design considerations of composite beams presented in EN 1994 standards. It is shown that composite interaction will develop in any flexural members having connection interfaces where longitudinal shear flow resisting slipping is able to act. This concerns also beams where concrete decking is integrated with the supporting beam on its bottom flange. A detailed classification of shear connections in this document is based on their shear-slip properties, which allows for consideration of hardening, plastic and softening connection types. A theory developed for slip deformations is applicable for both full and partial shear connections. The connection stiffness parameters make it possible to estimate the maximum slips in both serviceability and inelastic states of stresses. With the aid of parameters developed, it is also possible to study the effects of quasi-static and fatigue loading on the bending stiffness of composite beams where the stud shear connection is deteriorating due to load cycling.