9th International Conference on Steel Concrete Composite and Hybrid Structures.

Leeds, UK, 8 10 July 2009

Experimental investigation of lightweight composite deck slabs

T. Luu, E. Bortolotti
ArcelorMittal Liege R&D, Bd de Colonster B57, 4000 Liege, Belgium
trung.luu@arcelormittal.com; emmanuel.bortolotti@arcelormittal.com
B. Parmentier
Belgian Building Research Institute, Avenue P. Holoffe 21, 1342 Limelette, Belgium
benoit.parmentier@bbri.be
X. Kestemont
Argex, Kruibeeksesteenweg 227, 2070 Zwijndrecht (Burcht), Belgium
xavier.kestemont@argex.be
M. Briot
ArcelorMittal Construction Belgium, Parc Industriel des Hauts-Sarts, 4040 Herstal, Belgium
michel.briot@arcelormittal.com
J.-C. Grass
ArcelorMittal Construction France, BP25, 67017 Strasbourg-port du Rhin, France
jean-claude.grass@arcelormittal.com

Abstract
Composite floor systems using light gauge steel sheeting are gaining reputation worldwide. These
composite slabs contribute to faster, lighter and economical construction of buildings. With
lightweight aggregate concrete, the composite deck slabs offer henceforth new assets such as higher
unpropped span during construction, supplementary reduction of self weight of the floor (up to 40%
compared to the normal concrete), lasting heat insulation, etc. However, the longitudinal shear
behaviour of composite deck slab must be studied by experimental methods to justify the combination
of the steel deck and lightweight concrete and to evaluate the m-k values as defined by EN 1994-1-1.
This paper presents a complete experimental investigation conducted on the lightweight composite
deck slabs associating steel deck and pumpable lightweight concrete.
Keywords: Steel deck, composite deck slab; lightweight concrete

1. Introduction
The composite deck slab, combining steel deck and concrete poured in-situ, is already highly
recommended by contractors and project managers for the construction or renovation of
multi-storey car parks and tower buildings. The steel decks remain permanently in place as an
integral part of the floor system. They act as the formwork while concreting, and in the
composite slab they act as the tension reinforcement. This type of flooring results in faster
construction, lighter floor, and offers high level of performances. In addition, they also have
other advantages such as easy handling, a good ceiling surface and convenient ducting for

9th International Conference on Steel Concrete Composite and Hybrid Structures.

Leeds, UK, 8 10 July 2009

routing utility services. Finally, the thin sheeting is extremely light and hence can be
transported conveniently, handled and placed easily by the contractor.
However, the longitudinal shear behaviour of composite deck slab must be studied by
experimental methods to justify the combination of the steel deck and concrete and to
evaluate the m-k values as defined by EN 1994-1-1 [1].
An experimental study has been carried out on the lightweight composite floor Cofraplus 77
LS associating Arval steel deck and Argex lightweight concrete based on expanded clay
aggregate [2]. These concretes are pumpable, representing a revolution in the world of
lightweight concrete. Difficult-to-access construction sites and the construction of
skyscrapers are therefore much easier today. The weight reduction is about 40% compared to
the standard concrete and for similar structural performances. The impact on the structures
and foundations are therefore significant.
Two lightweight concrete classes (LC16/18 D1.6 and LC35/38 D 1.8) were used to
investigate the influence of concrete strength on longitudinal shear capacity. More than 30
composite slab specimens were cast in fully supported conditions. These specimens were
then tested according to EN 1994-1-1 [1] at the Belgian Building Research Institute.
This paper is an experimental evaluation of m-k values for the lightweight composite floor.
Using the values of m and k as determined by experimental tests, ultimate load carrying of
the lightweight composite slab can be calculated. The lightweight composite deck slabs
represent a promising combination which opens up new fields of applications from reducing
dead weight of high rise buildings to projects with a tough foundation base, or in case of
renovation.
2. Experimental investigation on lightweight composite slabs
Two extreme cases were tested for shorter shear span loading and longer shear span loading.
Simply supported spans of 2.5 m and 4.5 m were tested to failure (including cyclic loading).
For each shear span loading and for each slab depth, a set of three specimens was used. The
first one was tested to failure under static monotonic loading. The other two specimens were
tested for cyclic loading for 5000 cycles, followed by a static test. The details of the steel
deck are given in table 1. Fig. 3 shows the cross sectional view of the steel deck.
Table 1. Properties of the steel deck.
Thickness
(mm)
0.75

Yield strength
(MPa)
350

Weight
(kg/m)
9.54

Height
ht (mm)
77

Width
B (mm)
768

Figure 1. Cross section of the embossed sheet.

Steel area
Ap (mm/m)
1216

9th International Conference on Steel Concrete Composite and Hybrid Structures.

Leeds, UK, 8 10 July 2009

Two pumpable lightweight concretes LC16/18-D1.6 and LC35/38-D1.8 used for concreting
were studied to observe the influence of concrete strength on shear capacity. The lightweight
concrete characteristics are given in table 2.
Table 2. Characteristics of lightweight concretes (according EN206-1).
Concrete class
LC16/18-D1.6
LC35/38-D1.8

flck (cylinder)
(MPa)
16
35

flck (cubes)
(MPa)
18
38

Density
D (kg/m)
1400-1600
1600-1800

The dimensions of composite slab specimens are given in table 3. These specimens were cast
with the profiled sheet as the base. The casting was carried out in fully supported conditions.
Table 3. Geometry of the composite slab specimens
Lightweight Slab depth Slab width
concrete class ht (mm)
B (mm)
130
768
LC16/18-D1.6
210
768
Cofraplus 77
LS
130
768
LC35/38-D1.8
210
768
Steel deck

Span Total length Shear length

L (mm) Ltot (mm)
Ls (mm)
2500
2700
625
4500
4700
1125
2500
2700
625
4500
4700
1125

The tests on composite deck slab were carried out according to Annex B.2 of Eurocode 4 at
Belgian Building Research Institute [3]. Detailed description of the experimental set-up is
presented on [4].
3. Experimental results
Typical load and end slip vs. midspan deflection curves are shown in the figure 2 and figure 3
for monotonic and cyclic test, respectively.

Figure 2. Load or end slip vs. midspan

deflection for static monotonic test.

Figure 3. Load or end slip vs. midspan

deflection for cyclic test.

9th International Conference on Steel Concrete Composite and Hybrid Structures.

Leeds, UK, 8 10 July 2009

Influence of concrete strength on shear capacity

The test results obtained with two lightweight concrete classes LC16/18-D1.6 and LC35/38D1.8 are reported on figure 4. The test results are similar for composite slabs cast with these
two lightweight concrete classes. The influence of concrete strength on shear capacity of
composite slab is negligible.
50

Vt (kN)

40
30
20
10

LC16/18-D1.6
LC35/38-D1.8

0
2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

Span L (mm)

Figure 4. Influence of concrete strength on shear capacity.

Evaluation of m-k values
The main objective of the present testing program was to determine the m-k values which
define the shear bond of the lightweight composite deck. The recommended design equation
for shear bond of composite deck slabs is given in EN 1994-1-1:

mA p

Vt = Bd p
+ k or
BLs

Ap
Vt
=m
+k
Bd p
BLs

(1)

which is in form of an equation for a straight line y = mx + k .

0,35
V / (B.d ) [N/mm]

0,30
0,25

y = 183,9x - 0,0944

0,20
0,15
0,10
0,05
0,00
0,0000

0,0005

0,0010
0,0015
Ap / (B.Ls ) [/]

0,0020

Figure 5. Characteristic curve (m-k curve).

The m-k values obtained are m = 183.9 and k = 0.0944 N/mm

0,0025

9th International Conference on Steel Concrete Composite and Hybrid Structures.

Leeds, UK, 8 10 July 2009

4. Example of application
Project of multi-storey buildings :
-

Composite deck : Cofraplus 77 LS sheeting thickness 0.75 mm,

Concrete : Pumpable lightweight concrete LC16/18-D1.6,

Number of spans : double spans,

Live load : 2.5 kN/m (for office areas),

Props during construction : without props.

The admissible span of lightweight composite deck slab Cofraplus 77 LS is 4.15m.

Figure 6. Lightweight composite slab Cofraplus 77 LS.

q
ht

Figure 7. Double spans of Cofraplus 77 LS.

The comparison of dead weight between concrete slab and lightweight concrete slab is given
in table 4. The latter has a weight saving of 47% which has a very significant impact on the
structures and foundations.
Table 4. Self weight of lightweight composite slab compared to concrete slab.
Slab depth

Cofraplus 77 LS

Concrete slab

Weight savings

14 cm

1.78 kN/m

3.36 kN/m

47 %

The m-k values of the profiled steel deck when used with normal concrete are m = 138.3 and
k = 0.0446 N/mm

9th International Conference on Steel Concrete Composite and Hybrid Structures.

Leeds, UK, 8 10 July 2009

5. Conclusion
The lightweight composite deck slab Cofraplus 77 LS associating steel deck and pumpable
lightweight concrete has been experimentally investigated. This new product has been
included in the Arval sales program.
Thanks to the use of pumpable lightweight concrete, the dead load of the slab may be reduced
by 40% compared to the normal concrete for similar structural performances, implying
weight and cost savings for structure and foundation. It also leads in increasing the
unpropped span of the composite deck during the construction stage. These composite deck
slabs with pumpable lightweight concrete find their advantages for all types of buildings,
especially in multi-storey buildings and renovation.
6. References
[1] EN 1994-1-1 (2005), Design of composite steel and concrete structures - Part 1-1: General rules and rules for
buildings.
[2] Lightweight concrete Argex : www.argex.be.
[3] Parmentier B. (2007), Dtermination de la rsistance au cisaillement longitudinal par essays de flexion 4
points sur planchers mixtes acier-bton lger - Cofraplus 77 L, Technical report, Belgium.
[4] Luu T. et al. (2008), Composite deck slabs with lightweight aggregate concrete, 5th European conference on
steel and composite structures, pp. 351-356, Graz, Austria.