Lecture 10.

3: Single Span Beams

OBJECTIVE/SCOPE

To describe the design of a single span steel-concrete composite beam with full shear
connection, using a plastic design method to determine the internal force distribution at
ultimate limit state; to describe an approximate method to check the deflection at
serviceability limit state.

PREREQUISITES

Lecture 10.2: The Behaviour of Beams

RELATED LECTURES

Lectures 10.4: Continuous Beams

Lectures 10.5: Design for Serviceability

Lectures 10.6: Shear Connection

SUMMARY

This lecture introduces the design criteria for a single span composite beam, concentrating on
the determination of its resistance to positive bending moment, to vertical shear, or to a
combination of both. A plastic design method is used. The conditions for which this method
applies are summarised to show the differences between simply supported and continuous
beams. The design method also assumes that only symmetrical steel sections are used and
that full shear connection between the steel and concrete exists at ultimate limit state. Special
attention is paid to the concrete slab acting as the compression flange of the composite beam.
The effective width and maximum longitudinal shear force of the concrete slab are de fined.
The internal force distribution within the cross-section is described. Formulae based on the
distribution are given which determine the moment and shear resistance of the beam.
Serviceability aspects are also briefly discussed.

1. INTRODUCTION

The object of this lecture is to explain the principles and rules for the design of a simply
supported, i.e. single span, composite steel-concrete beam with full shear connection. Typical
cross-sections of composite beams are shown in Figure 1. For simplicity, only the
symmetrical steel sections 1a, 1c and 1d are considered. The relevant symbols are given in
Figure 2.
For full shear connection the total longitudinal shear resistance of the shear connectors (R q),
distributed between the point of maximum positive bending moment and a simple end
support, must be greater than (or equal to) the lesser of the resistance of the steel beam (R s =
Afy /a) when the plastic neutral axis is in the slab, or the resistance of the concrete flange
(Rc = 0,85 beff hc fck /c) when the plastic neutral axis is in the steel section.

1.1 Ultimate Limit State

The resistance to longitudinal shear (see Figure 3, criterion III) of a shear connection is not
discussed here. An idealised load-slip behaviour of the connector, as illustrated in Figure 4, is
assumed; the type of shear connector which exhibits this behaviour is discussed in Lectures
10.6.1, 10.6.2 and 10.6.3.
This lecture concentrates on the resistance of the beam to moment and vertical shear, which
have maximum values at cross-sections I and II respectively, as shown in Figure 3). Between
these critical cross-sections, each cross-section is subjected to a bending moment and a
vertical shear. This combination is usually only of importance in the case where the loading
includes point or line loads, as shown in Figure 5; here the maximum moment and maximum
vertical shear act together at a critical cross-section adjacent to the point load or line load;
special attention must be paid to this critical cross-section.

In the case of statically determinate beams, such as simply supported single span beams, it is
easy to determine the distribution of bending moments from the equilibrium conditions. To
determine the stress distribution over the cross-section, plastic behaviour is assumed. The
advantage of this method is that the calculation of the resistance is based on the "maximum
moment at failure" condition; this method is also easy to understand and apply.

Steel sections can be classified into 4 classes depending on the local buckling behaviour of
the flange and/or web in compression. In the case of a simply supported single span, plastic
design methods may be used for Class 1 and 2 sections; sections of Class 2 are only allowed
when no rotation capacity is required. These classes are described as follows (see also Figure
6 and Lecture 7.2):

 Class 1: plastic cross-sections which can form a plastic hinge with sufficient rotation
capacity for plastic analysis.
 Class 2: compact cross-sections which can develop the plastic moment of resistance
but have limited rotation capacity.
The steel compression flange, if properly attached to the concrete flange, may be assumed to
be of Class 1.

Table 1 (part of Table 4.2 of Eurocode 4 [1]), classifies steel webs in compression according
to their width to thickness ratios. In a composite beam the compression part of the web, in
positive bending, is always less than half the total depth for a symmetrica l section. A width-
to-thickness ratio less than 83 will, therefore, always be sufficient for a symmetric steel
section in positive bending. Therefore, instability of the web is not critical for the IPE-
sections (according to CEN-EN 19-1986) and the HE-sections (according to CEN-EN 53-
1986).

Because the part in compression is always laterally restrained when the beam is in positive
bending, it is not necessary to check lateral-torsional buckling (see Lecture
10.4.1 and 10.4.2). Other aspects, such as shear buckling are discussed briefly in Section 4.
Web crippling, however, is beyond the scope of this lecture - see Eurocode 3 for further
information [2].

1.2 Serviceability Limit State

For simply supported single spans, the concrete flange is in compression and cracking of the
concrete is not relevant. Only deflections and vibrations are important. Lectures
10.5.1 and 10.5.2 discuss these topics.

2. DESIGN ASPECTS OF THE CONCRETE FLANGE IN COMPRESSION

2.1 Effective width

A typical form of composite construction consists of a slab connected to a series of parallel

steel members. The construction is essentially a series of interconnected T-beams with wide,
thin flanges, as shown in Figure 7(a). In such a system "she ar lag" may cause the flange width
to be not fully effective in resisting compression [3]. This phenomenon can be explained by
reference to a simply supported member, part of whose length is shown on plan in Figure
7(b).
The maximum axial force in the slab is at midspan, while the force at the ends is zero. The
change in longitudinal force is associated with shear in the plane of the slab. The resulting
deformation, shown in Figure 7(b), is inconsistent with simple bending theory, in which
initially plane sections are assumed to remain plane after bending. The edge regions of the
slab are effectively less stiff, and a non-uniform distribution of longitudinal bending stress is
obtained across the section. Simple theory gives an effective value for width, b eff, such that
the area GHJK equals the area ACDEF.

The ratio beff/bv depends not only on the relative dimensions of the system, but also on the
type of loading, the support conditions and the cross-section considered; Figure 7c shows the
effect of the ratio of the beam spacing to span length, b v /L, and the type of loading, on a
simply supported span.

In most codes of practice very simple formulae are given for the calculation of effective
widths, although this may lead to some loss of economy. According to Eurocode 4 [1], for
simply supported beams, the effective width on each side of the steel web should be taken

as , but not greater than half the distance to the next adjacent web, nor greater than the
projection of the cantilever slab for edge beams.

The length lo is the approximate distance between points of zero bending moment. It is equal
to the span for simply supported beams.

A constant effective width may be assumed over the whole of each span. This value may be
taken as the midspan value for a beam.

2.2 Maximum Longitudinal Shear in the Concrete Slab

In the concrete slab, a complex (three-dimensional) force distribution occurs in the region of
the connector. The reason for this behaviour is that bending moments and vertical shear
forces act parallel as well as perpendicular to the beam. It is difficult to find a phys ical design
model for this complex stress distribution, and therefore, most design rules are empirical.
Two design criteria can be identified:

 longitudinal shear in the concrete slab, along the shear planes indicated in Figure 8.
 splitting of the concrete.
It is possible to avoid these failure modes by providing sufficient transverse reinforcement
and choosing the correct distance between the connectors. In some cases, satisfying these
criteria may lead to an increase in concrete slab thickness or resistance.

Longitudinal shear resistances are given in Chapter 6 of Eurocode 4 [1].

If the connectors are welded or shot fired through a continuous profiled steel sheet of a
composite slab, the cross-section of the steel sheet can also be considered as transverse
reinforcement.

3. DESIGN CALCULATION

There are design performance requirements for both the ultimate and serviceability limit
states.

Ultimate Limit State

In designing a composite beam for the ultimate limit state, it is necessary to check the
resistance of the critical cross-sections, and the resistance to longitudinal shear between each
adjacent pair of critical cross-sections (see Figure 3). The forces and moments due to factored
loads are required to be less than the design resistance. This can be expressed by:

Sd  Rd

where

Sd is the design value of an internal force or moment

Rd is the corresponding design value of the resistance

The design value of an internal force or moment, S d, can be determined when the static
system, its geometrical data (when relevant) and the combination of the design values of the
loads are known.

Characteristic values for loadings are given in Eurocode 1: Basis of Design and Actions in
Structures [4]. To determine S d, for example for criteria I of Figure 3, the characteristic
permanent and variable (in this case uniformly distributed) loads must be multiplied by the
corresponding  -factors and combined as follows:

Sd = (l2 /8){GGkj + Q(Qk1 + Q ki)} …………. (1)

which, using the values recommended in Eurocode 4 gives:

Sd = (l2 /8){1,35Gkj + 1,50(Q k1 + Qki)} …………. (2)

where,

Gk,j is the characteristic value of the permanent load

Qk,l is the characteristic value of one of the variable loads

Qk,i is the characteristic value of the other variable loads.

To determine the design resistance, Rd, of members or cross-sections, the design values of the
material strengths and geometrical data (when relevant) are necessary. The design value of a
material property represents its lower characteristic value divided by its corresponding partial
safety factor; the partial factors for material properties (and strengths) are:

Combination Structural Concrete Steel Profiled steel

steel reinforcement sheeting

Fundamental a = 1,1 c = 1,5 s = 1,15 ap = 1,1

Other M values, such as that for the shear connection (studs, friction grip bolts etc.) are given
in Eurocode 4 [1].

The use of these material factors in determining design resistances is shown in Section 4,
Equations (3) to (9), for the case of moment resistance, ie. criterion I of Figure 3.

Serviceability Limit State

In the design of a composite beam for the serviceability limit state, it must be shown that,
under service conditions, the deflections and vibrations do not exceed allowable values and
that cracking of the concrete is limited. The design value of the effect of loads Ed shall be less
than (or equal to) a nominal value C d (or a related function R d):

Ed  Cd or, Ed  Rd

This aspect of design is discussed in greater detail in Lecture 10.5.1.

4. PLASTIC DESIGN METHOD

4.1 Positive Bending Moment

The ultimate load resistance of a simply supported beam is determined by the moment of
resistance of the critical cross-section [5]. The determination of the moment of resistance of
the cross-section is based on the following assumptions:

a) The shear connectors are able to transfer the forces occurring between the steel
and the concrete at failure (full shear connection).
b) No slip occurs between the steel and the concrete (complete interaction).
c) Tension in concrete is neglected.
d) The strains caused by bending are directly proportional to the distance from the
neutral axis; in other words, plane cross-sections remain plane after bending, even
at failure.
e) The relationship between the stress a, and the strain  a of steel is schematically
represented by the diagram shown in Figure 9a.
 f) The relation between the stress c and the strain  c of concrete is schematically
represented by the diagram shown in Figure 9b.

Both materials are assumed to behave in a perfectly plastic manner, and therefore, the strains
are not limited. This assumption is similar to that made when calculating the plastic moment
resistance for Class 1 steel sections used independently. The idealised diagram for steel is
shown in Figure 9a. The deviation between the real and the idealised diagram is much smaller
than for concrete as shown in Figure 9b. The use of fck for the maximum stress in the concrete
will clearly result in an unconservative design although in practice the overestimate does not
appear to be very significant. To allow for this overestimate a conservative approximation for
concrete strength (kfck ) is used in design.

Experimental research has proved that the plastic method with k = 0,85, leads to a safe value
for the moment of resistance. This is only true if the upper flange cross-section is less than or
equal to that of the lower flange, as will usually be the case.

Application of these assumptions leads to the stress distributions shown in Figures 10 - 12.
Clearly, the calculation of the moment of resistance M c is dependent on the position of the
neutral axis, which is determined by the relationship between the cross-section of the
concrete slab and the cross-section of the steel beam. Two cases can be identified as follows:
a. the neutral axis is situated in the concrete slab:
1. in the solid part of the composite slab (Rs < Rc ; see Figure 10)
2. in the rib of the composite slab (Rs= Rc)

b. the neutral axis is situated in the steel beam:

1. in the flange of the steel section (Rs > Rc > Rw; see Figure 11)
2. in the web of the steel section (Rs > Rc < Rw; see Figure 13)
The plastic moment resistance, assuming full shear connection and a symmetric steel section,
is expressed in terms of the resistance of various elements of the beam as follows:

Resistance of concrete flange : Rc = beff hc 0,85 fck /c

Resistance of steel flange : Rf = b tf fy /a

Resistance of shear connection : Rq = N Q

Resistance of steel beam : Rs = A fy /a

Resistance of clear web depth : Rv = d t w fy /a

Resistance of overall web depth : Rw = Rs - 2 Rf

where,

A is the area of steel beam

b is the breadth of steel flange

beff is the effective breadth of concrete flange

h is the overall depth of the steel beam

hp is the depth of profiled steel sheet

hc is the depth of concrete flange above upper flange of profiled steel sheet

d is the clear depth of web between fillets

fck is the characteristic cylinder compressive strength of the concrete

Mpl is the plastic moment resistance of steel beam

N is the number of shear connectors in shear span length between two critical cross-sections

Q is the resistance of one shear connector

tf is the thickness of steel flange

tw is the thickness of web

 is

Full shear connection applies when Rq is greater than (or equal to) the lesser of Rc and Rs.

The concrete flange is assumed to be a solid concrete slab, or a composite slab with profiled
steel sheets running perpendicular to the beam. The Equations are conservative for a
composite slab where the profiled steel sheets run parallel to the beam because in the
resistance Rc, the concrete in the ribs is neglected.

For a composite section with full shear connection, where the steel beam has equal flanges,
the plastic moment resistance Mc for positive moments is given by the following:

Case a1:

If the neutral axis is situated in the concrete flange as shown in Figure 10, Rs < Rc and the
positive bending moment of resistance is:

Mpl.Rd = Rs z

where: z = h/2 + hp + hc - x/2

x = (Afy /a) / (beff kfck /c).hc = (Rs /Rc ).hc

Mpl.Rd = Rc (h/2 + hp + hc - Rs.hc/2Rc) ………… (3)

Case a2:

If the neutral axis is situated in the rib of the composite slab, Rs = Rc and Equation (3) can be
rewritten as:

Mpl.Rd = Rs (h + 2hp + hc)/2

or, Mpl.Rd = Rs.h/2+ Rc.(hc/2 + hp ) …………… (4)

Case b1:

If the neutral axis is situated in the steel flange, Rs > Rc > Rw. From equilibrium of normal
forces it can be shown that the axial compression force R in the steel flange (see Figure 11)
is:

Rc + R = Rs - 2 R + R  2 R = Rs - Rc  R = (Rs - Rc )/2

This axial force R is located in the middle of the upper part of the flange, with a depth equal
to: (Rtf)/Rf = (Rs - Rc).tf/2Rf . Therefore, the moment of resistance is equal to the resistance
expressed by the Equation (4) minus (2R)½(Rs - Rc).tf/2Rf equal to (Rs-Rc)2 .tf/4Rf as
illustrated in Figure 11.

This can be written as:

Mpl.Rd = Rs.h/2+ Rc (hc/2 + hp ) - (Rs - Rc)2 .tf/4Rf ……….. (5)

Case b2:

If the neutral axis is in the web of the steel section, Rs > Rc < Rw. In this case, a part of the
web is in compression and, as already discussed, this could influence the classification of the
web.

Webs not fully effective ("non-compact webs") are not treated in this lecture. If the depth to
thickness ratio of the web of a steel section is less than or equal to 83/(1-Rc/Rv )

where  = , it is considered as a compact web and the total depth is effective. The
positive bending resistance is as illustrated in Figure 12:
Mpl.Rd = Rc z + Mpl,N-red.Rd = Rc.(h + 2 hp + hc)/2+ Mpl,N-red.Rd (6)

where:

Mpl,N-red.Rd = plastic moment resistance of the steel beam reduced by a normal force Rc.

According to Eurocode 3 [2] the plastic moment reduced by a normal force for standard
rolled I and H steel sections, can be approximated by:

Mpl,N-red.Rd = 1,11 Mpl.a.Rd (1 - Rc/Rs)  Mpl.Rd ………. (7)

So the resistance can be written as:

Mpl.Rd = Rc.(h + 2 hp + hc)/2 + 1,11 Mpl.a.Rd (1 - Rc/Rs) ……… (8)

Mpl,N-red.Rd can also be written as Mpl.a.Rd - (Rc2 /Rv 2 )(d/4)

In this case the moment of resistance is:

Mpl.Rd = Rc.(h + 2 hp + hc)/2 + Mpl.a.Rd - (Rc2 /Rv 2 )(d/4) ………. (9)

The formulae for the positive moment of resistance values are summarised in Table 2.

4.2 Vertical Shear

Cross-section II of Figure 3 is only subjected to vertical shear. The contribution of the

concrete slab to the resistance to vertical shear is small and difficult to determine and is,
therefore, neglected. Therefore, only the web of the steel section and adjacent parts of the
steel flange are taken into account. The vertical shear resistance, according to Eurocode 3 [2],
is given by:

Vpl,Rd = Av fy /a3) ………… (10)

The shear area Av , for rolled I, H and channel sections loaded parallel to the web, can be
taken as: 1,04 h t w.

In addition, the shear buckling resistance of a steel web must be verified when d/t w>69 for
an unstiffened (and uncased) web. For a simply-supported beam, without intermediate
transverse stiffeners, with full shear connection and subjected to uniformly distributed
loading, Eurocode 4 [1] gives the following simplified rules:

for w 1,5  VRd = Vpl,Rd ……………………………….. (11)

for 1,5 < w< 3,0  VRd = Vpl,Rd (3/ w+ 1/5 w- 1,3) …….. (12)

for 3,0 < w< 4,0  VRd = Vpl,Rd 0,9/ w ……………….. (13)

In accordance with Eurocode 3 the web slenderness w is given by:

w= {fy /3cr}1/2  4 …………… (14)

In practice, an I-section girder has usually a transverse load bearing stiffener at the support,
but no intermediate transverse stiffeners. In such a case the elastic critical shear
resistance cr is given by:
cr = …………………. (15)

If the factored internal force V Sd, is less than Vcr = d t w cr, the shear connectors can be
uniformly distributed; if not, more connectors should be placed near the support.

4.3 Vertical Shear in Combination with Bending Moment

Where the vertical shear VSd exceeds half the plastic shear resistance Vpl.Rd given by Equation
(10) due allowance shall be made for its effect on the plastic moment of resistance. This is of
importance at cross-section (I+II) of Figure 5, where both load effects, vertical shear and
bending, are at a maximum. The following methods are used for such cases:

 If the neutral axis of the composite beam is situated in the concrete slab or in the
flange of the steel section, the previous Equations (3) - (5) can be used where R s is
replaced by the reduced resistance of the steel beam, such that:

Rs,red = Rs - (2V Sd /V Rd - 1) Vpl.Rd for: 0,5 < V Sd/VRd  1 ………….. (16)

In this case, part of the middle of the web of the steel section, is reserved to resist the vertical
shear. The depth of this part of the web is

(2V Sd /VRd - 1) h

providing a depth equal to zero when V Sd /VRd = 0.5 and equal to h where V Sd /VRd = 1,0

 If the neutral axis of the composite beam is situated in the web of the steel section, the
previous Equations (8) and (9) can be used where Mpl.Rd is replaced by a reduced
plastic moment of resistance; according to Eurocode 3 [2] this resistance should be
calculated from the stress distribution given in Figure 13 as briefly discussed below.

The part of the web that is reserved for vertical shear is located in the middle of the web
depth. The section modulus of the web will, therefore, be reduced by:

¼tw ( (2V Sd/VRd - 1) h)2 for 0,5 < V Sd/VRd  1 ………….. (17)

which becomes:

¼tw h2 (1 - (2V Sd /VRd - 1)2 ) ………….. (18)

If the factor  is assumed to be equal to (2V Sd/VRd - 1)2 the section modulus of the web can
also be written as:

¼tw h2 (1 -  )

In other words, it is possible to take into account the vertical shear by reducing the design
yield stress in the web by a factor (1 - ) for the area Av (1 - do /d) where do is the depth of
web neglected when calculating Mpl.Rd. The plastic moment of resistance reduced by vertical
shear can be expressed approximately by:

Mpl,V-red.Rd = {1 - (1 - do /d).A/(2A - Av )}.Mpl.Rd ………….. (19)

These rules are shown in Figure 14 in which Mpl.Rd is the plastic moment of resistance
when  = 1.

5. CONCLUDING SUMMARY

 Plastic analysis of the cross-section is used to determine the positive bending moment
resistance of composite beams (assuming that either Class 1 or 2 sections are used).
 Eurocode 4 gives simple formulae for the effective width of concrete slab acting
compositely with the steel; this "concrete flange" must be detailed to avoid
longitudinal shear and splitting.
 Design of composite beams involves ensuring that the forces and moments due to
factored loads are less than the corresponding design resistance.
 Various expressions for the design positive moment of resistance can be derived;
these depend on the position of the neutral axis relative to the concrete slab, steel
flanges, etc.
 Eurocode 4 gives simplified rules governing the design shear resistance of simply
supported composite beams, with full shear connection, subject to uniformly
distributed loading.
 Where high shear and moment are coincident part of the steel web is reserved to carry
shear, resulting in a decrease in moment resistance.

6. REFERENCES

[1] Eurocode 4: "Design of Composite Steel and Concrete Structures": ENV1994-1-1: Part
1.1: General rules and rules for buildings, CEN (in press).
[2] Eurocode 3: "Design of Steel Structures": ENV1993-1-1: Part 1.1: General rules and rules
for buildings, CEN, 1992.

[3] Dowling, P. J., Knowles, Owens, G., "Structural Steel Design", Steel Construction
Institute, 1988 (UK).

[4] Eurocode 1: "Basis of Design and Actions on Structures", CEN (in preparation).

[5] Stark, J.W.B., van Hove, B. W. E., "Composite Steel and Concrete Beams with Partial
Shear Connection", HERON, TNO-Building and Construction Research/TU-Delft
publication, 2nd quarter 1990 (UK).

7. ADDITIONAL READING

1. Essentials of EC4, prepared by the ECCS-TC 11, "Composite Structures" will be

published early 1993 by the European Convention for Constructional Steelwork,
Brussels.
2. Bode, "Verbundbau, Konstruktion und Berechnung", Werner Verlag, 1987
(Germany).
3. Stark, J. W. B.; "Introduction of Eurocode 4, General Methods of Design of
Composite Construction", IABSE Short Course, Brussels, September 1990, IABSE
Report No. 61, ISBN 3-85748-062-2.
4. Verbundträgen im Hochbau. Theoretische Grundlagen, Beispiele,
Bemessungstabellen, Schweinerische Zentralstelle für Stahlbau, Bericht A3, 1982.
5. Narayanan, R. (ed), Composite Steel Structures. Advances in Design and
Construction. Proceedings of the International Conference, Cardiff, UK, July 1987.
Elsevier Applied Science, London.
Table 1 Maximum width-to-thickness ratios for steel webs
Table 2 Positive moment of resistance values

Rs < Rc

Rs = Rc

Rs > Rc > Rw

Rs > Rc < Rw

OR:

and compact webs