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Abstract
The use of composite construction utilising structural steel and reinforced concrete
beams and columns is a popular method implemented by engineers in order to produce
more efficient structures. Most of the literature available on the subject has relied
mainly on a form of construction in which steel beams run continuous through a
reinforced (or composite) column, forming a rigid connection between both members.
The scope of this study was to investigate alternative methods to the one cited above,
namely by the use of chemical and mechanical anchors. The latter were examined in
detail through the results of an experimental program carried out at the University of
Malta, where three hybrid specimens connected by means of cast-in-place anchors were
tested under monotonically increasing loading.
Stress-strain analysis was used to predict the specimens’ behaviour and predicted values
were compared with those measured. Lack of effective concrete containment was seen
to significantly imply a decrease in strength and stiffness, whereas it was noted that there
is little variation of strength and stiffness with concrete grade.
1. Introduction
The advantages of using mixed reinforced concrete and steel systems have long been
recognised. Much research and publications have been devised for composite structures
with reinforced concrete (or composite) columns and steel beams running continuous
though the joint to form a rigid “moment” connection.
The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of creating such a connection
using anchors. Therefore, an analytical and experimental program was carried out at the
University of Malta to investigate the ultimate capacity of such a connection method
between steel and reinforced concrete and the overall effect of the introduction of a joint
between the two materials.
(EI)c=(EI)s (1)
For IPE300 section, Is=8356cm4
From B.S.5950-1:2000, clause 3.1.3, Es=205kN/mm2
Thus, (EI)s=17129.8kNm2
From B.S.8110-1:1997, figure 2.1, Ec=5.5(fcu/γm), where γm=material partial safety factor
Taking fcu as an average value of 30N/mm2 and γm=1.5, Ec=24.6kN/mm2
Substituting (EI)s and Ec in (1), Ic=696333333mm4
σ=F/A (3)
Taking fcu=25N/mm2, the required embedment length was found to be 177mm. Thus,
the total length of threaded bars used was taken as 333mm to cater for the ignored
(unconfined) concrete zone as well as the plate, washer and nut thickness.
The plate and welds were designed to B.S.5950-1:2000 as a normal column baseplate
subjected to a moment, resulting in a 15mm thick S275 plate welded to the IPE300
section with E35 6mm fillet welds.
The applied loading was transferred in the form of two point loads by means of a
spreader beam (Plate 2). The steel spreader beam was placed on the specimen
symmetrically, supported on two steel round bars with neoprene pads between the
supports and the specimen. The load was applied by means of a 500kN hydraulic jack
fitted with a 500kN load cell. The latter, the LVDTs and the strain gauge wires were
connected to a data logging device via connector boards.
Load was applied gradually in small increments of approximately 5kN each in order to
allow proper recording of crack formation and also to accomplish as many load-
deflection readings as possible.
3. Experimental test results
All specimens were loaded to failure and a summary of the results is given in Table 1.
Specimen At formation of first crack(s) At failure
Load Deflection Load Deflection
kN mm kN mm
C25 58.2 8.43 64.0 10.61
C30 45.6 6.81 58.4 11.15
C35 68.6 8.94 80.6 10.92
Table 1: Summary of load and deflection results
The deflection reading was found by taking the mean of the two measurements recorded
from the two LVDTs. The load-deflection chart for all specimens is shown in Chart 1.
80
70
60
Load (kN)
50 C25
40 C30
C35
30
20
10
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Deflection (mm)
However, the threaded bars remained embedded in the concrete throughout their whole
lengths and did not suffer any local bending; these were verified by extracting the bars
from the concrete.
The almost constant ratio between measured to estimated deflection suggests that there is
a correlation in the behaviour between the measured and estimated stiffness, albeit
biased towards the measured data. Thus, it can be concluded that, even in the elastic
region, the presence of the joint resulted in a decrease in stiffness of circa 60%.
In all specimens, it is evident that the concrete was highly stressed in the compression
zone, even in early loading stages. It is apparent that, as the beam rotated, further local
stresses in addition to those due to bending were induced, causing progressive internal
cracking and leading to surface cracking and thus compressive failure.
A similar procedure was computed for the steel beam using strains measured for each
specimen. In this case, stresses were obtained from measured strains using the stress-
strain relation from elastic theory σ=Esε/(1-ν)2, where ν=Poisson’s ratio, taken as 0.3 as
per B.S.5950-1:2000, clause 3.1.3. The strains were similarly compared to those
induced by bending using the relation σ’=My/I. The results are given in Table 5.
Specimen ε σ σ’
2
µm/m N/mm N/mm2
C25 0.7075 159.38 27.05
C30 0.2359 53.14 23.22
C35 0.5896 132.82 19.63
As in the case of the concrete stresses, the data measured indicates that, in the region of
the joint, high levels of stresses were present, even at low load levels. It was noted that
the strains in the compression zone were marginally larger than those in the tension
zone, possibly due to the fact that, as the beam rotated, addition local stresses were
generated near the point of rotation, i.e., in the compression zone.
The capacity of a moment connection using cast-in-place bars is not directly related
to the concrete compressive strength but rather to the provision of adequate
confinement to the concrete.
The use of high concrete grades and steel with high yield values are favoured since
materials were highly stressed in the zone of maximum moment.
Adequate confinement should be provided by transverse steel, which should take the
form of high yield steel, closely spaced links.
The introduction of the connection resulted in a decrease in stiffness of circa 60%.
Thus, adequate margins should be introduced in design to cater for flexural
performance and also to satisfy serviceability limit state requirements to prevent
excessive rotations and/or deflections.
The following are recommendations for further study related to the subject:
The effect of proper confining steel to assess the ultimate capacity of anchors, using
different variables for transverse steel, including rectangular and circular hoops and
welded fabric reinforcement as transverse steel.
The effect of cycling loading on connections achieved by means of anchors.
Alternative connection methods using bolt couplers to develop full strength joints
between reinforcement bars and standard metric bolts.
6. References
1. B.S. 5950-1:2000: Structural use of steelwork in building. Part 1. Code of practice
for design-Rolled and welded sections, British Standards Institution, London, 2000.
2. B.S. 8110-1:1997: Structural use of concrete. Part 1. Code of practice for design
and construction, British Standards Institution, London, 1997.
3. B.S. 8007:1987. Code of practice for design of concrete structures for retaining
aqueous liquids, British Standards Institution, London, 1987.