Chapter 5 : Continuous Composite Beams

Summary:

Continuous beams are an alternative to simply supported beams and their use is justified by
considerations of economy.
In the hogging bending regions at supports, concrete will be in tension and the steel bottom
flange in compression, leading to the possibility of onset of local buckling. This is taken up by
the classification of cross sections.
Rigid-plastic design may be performed for beams with Class 1 cross-sections. Plastic moment
resistance of cross-sections can be used for Class 1 and 2 cross-sections.
For Class 3 sections, elastic analysis and elastic cross-section resistance must be used.
The principles of calculation of cross-section resistance, either plastic or elastic, are similar to
the case of sagging bending. The tension resistance of concrete is neglected.
Lateral-torsional buckling is a special phenomenon which can be prevented by conforming to
certain detailing rules.
The design of the shear connection in the case of continuous beams is more complex than for
simply supported beams.
Serviceability checks include deflection and vibration control as well as that of concrete
cracking. This latter is specific to continuous beams because tension in concrete at the hogging
moment regions may cause unacceptable cracks, while in simply supported beams cracking is
only due to shrinkage of concrete and is therefore lower in magnitude.

Objectives:
The student should:
Appreciate the advantages of continuous composite beams and be aware of their disadvantages.
Understand the methods of plastic and elastic design of continuous beams.
Understand the methods of calculation of elastic and plastic cross-section resistance for hogging
bending moment, shear resistance and resistance against lateral-torsional buckling.
Understand the way shear connection is designed for class 1 and class 2 cross-sections.
Be aware the need for serviceability checks for cracking in the hogging moment region.

5-1

CHAPTER 5 - CONTINUOUS COMPOSITE BEAMS

5.1. INTRODUCTION
Continuous beams offer the following advantages over simply supported
beam construction:
1. greater load capacity due to redistribution of moments, and
2. greater stiffness and therefore reduce deflection and vibration.
The disadvantages associated with continuous beams are:
1. increase in complexity in design, and
2. susceptible to buckling in the negative moment region over internal
supports. Two forms of buckling may occur: (i) local buckling of the
web and/or bottom flange (ii) lateral torsional bukling.
At the supports, the sections ar subject to hogging moments. The concrete
slab will tend to crack in tension. Reinforcement bars may be placed in
the slab above the steel beam section to increase the moment resistance.
Continuity of beam can be achieved by spanning secondary beams on top
of the perpendicular to the primary beams. This concept is adopted in the
parallel beam construction (see figure) which allows continuity in all
beams and reducing the need of expensive beam-to-beam conections.

5-2

5.2. Effective Width, Be

For simply supported beam Be is taken as the sum of effective width be of
the portion of concrete flange on each side of the steel section, where be =
L/8, and L = span length of the simply supported beam.
For sagging moment regions of a continuous beam, the effective width is
proportioning to the effective length Lo between the point of
contraflexture. This length will depend on the type and magnitude of the
loading on the various spans of the continuous beam, and will change in
accordance with the different load cases.
An approximation may be made as follows:
For end span
Lo = 0.8L
Internal span
Lo = 0.7L
L = distance between supports for the span concerned.
Over an internal support
Lo = 0.25(L1 +L 2)

5-3

5.3. Moment of Resistance in Hogging Bending

The reinforcement bars within the effective width are assumed to be
stressed to their design yield strength, y.
The concrete slab may be assumed to be cracked.
The tensile resistance of the reinforcement, Rr, within the effective width
of the slab under negative moment is given by:
Rr = yAr
Ar = area of the reinforcement within the effective width.
The axial resistance of the web is
Rw = dtpy
d = depth between the steel section flange.
t = Web thickness
The negative plastic resistance moment Mc can be determined by
considering moment of each rectangular stress block about the neutral
axis.

5-4

For compact section:

Case 1: Rr < Rw (PNA lies in web)

d
76

(Web compact)
t 1 | +R r / R v

Moment about the center of the beam

Mc = Ms + Rr(0.5D + Dr) + Rr x
R
Rr
R d
X= r =
= r
2p y t

2R v / d

Rv 2

Mc = Ms + Rr(0.5D + Dr) + (Rr2d)/4Rw

where
Ms = the plastic resistance moment of the steel section alone
D = overall depth of the steel section
Dr = the distance from the top of the steel beam to the centroid of the reinforcement.

5-5

Case 2: Rs > Rr Rw (PNA lies in steel flange)

d
38 (Web compact)
t

x=

Rs Rr Rs Rr T
=
2p y B
Rf
2

Moments about op of the steel flange

Mc = 0.5RsD + RrD - (Rs - Rr)2T/4Rf
where
Rs = tensile resistance of the steel section, = yA.
Rf = resistance of the steel flange = BTy.
T = thickness of the steel flange
Light mesh reinforcement in the slab is neglected when calculating Mc.
If no reinforcement is provided then Mc = Mp.
Case 3: Rr > Rs (PNA outside the steel beam)
Mc = Rs (0.5D + Dr)
5

5-6

5.4. Shear Connections in Negative Moment Regions

The required number of shear connectors, Nn, is
Nn = Rr/Qn
Qn = design capacity of a shear connector in negative moment regions
Qn = 0.6Qk compared with 0.8Qk for positive bending, because of the
influence of cracking of concrete.
A suitable spacing can be determined by calculating the total number of
connectors Np + Nn needed between the point of maximum moment and
each adjacent support.
The total number of shear connectors may be spaced uniformly along the
beam between the point of maximum positive moment and the adjacent
support.

5-7

5.5. Analysis Methods

Three analysis methods are recommended for determining the moments in
continuous beams:
Simplified method
Elastic global analysis
plastic hinge analysis
5.5.1 Simplified Method
The method is based on a Table of coefficients as given below. Certain
restrictions are placed on this method (5.2.2):
1. The steel beam should be of uniform section with equal flanges and
without any haunches.
2. The steel beam should be of the same section in each span.
3. The loading should be uniformly distributed.
4. the unfactored imposed load should not exceed 2.5 times the unfactored
dead load.
5. No span should be less than 75% of the longest.
6. End span should not exceed 115% of the length of the adjacent span.
7. There should not be any cantilevers.
The coefficient in the Table should be multiplied by the free bending
moment WL/8, where W is the total factored load on the span L.
The values in the Table already allow for pattern loads and for
redistribution. No further redistribution should be carried out.

5-8

Table: Simplified table of moment coefficients

5-9

5.5.2 Elastic Global Analysis

Two methods of elastic global analysis are available for ultimate limit
state design:
(a) cracked section method
(b) uncracked section method.
Cracked Section Method.
For a length of 15% of the span on each side of the internal support, the
section properties are those of the cracked section for negative moments.
The second moment of area of the cracked section is calculated using a
section comprising the steel section together with the effectively anchored
reinforcement located within the effective width of the concrete flange at
the support.
Outside the 15% length, the section properties are those of the
uncracked section, this being calculated using the mid-span effective
width for the concrete flange but ignoring any longitudinal reinforcement.
The continuous beam can be analysed using a standard program or
formulae. The forces obtained from the analysis can be used to check
against the capacity at various critical locations along the beam.
Uncracked Section Method
The properties of the uncracked section are used throughout. The analysis
can be carried out without prior calculation of the cross-section.

5-10

Global Analysis based on Cracked Section Method

Uncracked Section (B.3.1)

Be (Ds D p )3 ABe (Ds D p )(D + Ds + D p )2
Ig = I x +
+
12e
4[Ae + Be (Ds D p )]

Cracked Section, Negative Moment (B.3.2)

AA r (D 2D r ) 2
In = Ix +
a (A + A r )

10

5-11

5.5.3 Redistribution of Moments for Elastic Analysis

Design codes permit negative moment (hogging) at the supports to be
reduced, except at cantilevers, by redistribution to mid-span. The extent
of the redistribution is dependent on the method of analysis and section
classification, as shown in the following Table.

Limits to redistribution of hogging moments

Class of section in
hogging region

For cracked analysis

30%

20%

10%

For un-cracked analysis

40%

30%

20%

10%

11

5-12

Elsatic Global Analysis

Moments are calculatd for two load cases:

12

5-13

5.6 Serviceability Limit State

Cracking may not need to be controlled in composite beams. If the slab is constructed as
continuous, uncontrolled cracking is permitted by design codes provided that this does not impair
the functioning of the structure. Most interiors of buildings for offices have low air humidity and
crack width has no influence on durability. Appearance requires a floor finish with ductile
behaviour or provision of a covering. Even so, British Standards and Eurocodes specify minimum
areas of reinforcement to prevent fracture of the bars or the formation of very wide cracks under
service loading. To avoid visible cracks where hard finishes are used, crack control joints should be
considered.
This part of the lecture therefore addresses deflections only. These are influenced by:
pattern loading
cracking of concrete
shakedown effects.
Deflection
For uniformly distributed or symmetrical loading, the deflection at mid-span for a continuous beam
is given approximately as
c = o{1-0.6(M1+M2)/Mo}
where
o = deflection of a simply supported composite beam under thensame loading conditions (see
chapter 4).
Mo = maximum moment in a simply supported beam subject to
the same loading.
M1 and M2 = moments at the adjacent supports of the continuous beam (following redistribution
etc).

The support moment M1 and M2 may be determined approximately using an elastic

analysis assuming uncracked section.

13

5-14

Pattern loading
BS5950: Part 3.1 allows the beam to be analysed with the imposed load on each
span. Except adjacent to cantilevers, the moment at each support is reduced to allow
for absence of imposed load on the adjacent spans.
To allow for the effect of pattern loading as shown in the figure, the moments at
supports (not adjacent to cantilevers) are reduced by 30% for beams carrying normal
loads or 50% for storage loads, to allow for pattern loading.
For other non-symmetric load cases it is more accurate to calculate the deflections
from the bending moment diagram at serviceability.

Shakedown effects
If the beam has been designed for ultimate moments determined by plastic analysis, or by elastic
analysis with substantial redistribution, then irreversible deformation may have occurred at a support.
To allow for this, BS5950 recommends that the support moment used in deflection calculations is
reduced as follows.
The support moment is calculated using the un-cracked section throughout, normally under dead
load plus 80% of the imposed load. If this moment exceeds the plastic moment resistance of the
section in negative (hogging) bending, the difference (termed the excess moment) is calculated.
14

5-15
The support moment used in deflection calculations should be reduced by the excess moment, as
well as by the reduction due to pattern loading.

Stresses
Determine the stresses in steel beam in the positive moment region based on the bending moment
diagram used to calculate the service deflections. For unpropped beams add the steel stresses to
those calculated for the steel section due to self weight of the floor. Check that the total stress does
not exceed py. No further checks are required in the negative moment regions.
5.7 Summary: - Design Procedure
1) Loading and moments
Obtain the factor loads through suitable combination of load factors, and calculate the free
bending moment on the beam ignoring continuity .
2) Initial selection of beam size Use the simplified table of moment coefficient, and obtain the
design moments in the negative and positive moment regions by multiplying the free bending
moment by the coefficients. Select the steel section so that it can resist the negative moment
obtained in the above without the need of reinforcement bars. Further refinement of section size
may be made by including additional reinforcement in the slab (see Step 5).
3) Perform section classification, and determine the analysis and design method.
4) Global Analysis
Select the following methods of analysis
a) Simplified table of moment coefficient
b) Elastic global analysis -uncracked section
c) Elastic global analysis -cracked section d) Plastic hinge analysis
If method (a) is used, no further refinement is needed.
5) Check moment capacity at positive moments.
6) Check moment capacity at negative moments.
7) The section size may be re-selected depending on the results of this global analysis.
8) Check interaction of moment and shear
9) Check shear connectors
10) Check construction stage
11) Check stability of the lower flange over the internal supports.
12) Provide transverse reinforcement
15

5-16
13) Check service load deflection and stresses.
14) Check natural frequency

16

5-17

EXAMPLE
Design a two-span composite beam with single span length 12m as shown in
Figure. Assuming that there is no reinforcement at the intermediate support.

Design data:
Steel: Grade 50
Concrete: Grade 30 light-weight
Slab thickness Ds = 130mm
Shear studs: 19mm diameter, 100mm length, use 2 studs per trough
Metal decking perpendicular to the steel beam:
Profile depth Dp = 50mm, thickness t = 1mm , average trough width br =
130mm, trough spacing = 300
Unfactored Dead Load
= 8.1 kN/m
Unfactored Imposed load = 18 kN/m
Design Load = 1.4DL + 1.6IL
w = 1.4 x 8.1 + 1.6 x 18 = 40kN/m

Check assumption for simplified table:

(Unfactored I L) / (Unfactored DL) = 18/8.1=2.22 < 2.5 OK!

w = 40 kN/m

12m

w= 40 kN/m

12m

17

5-18

Continuous Beam ABC

L = 12m, w = 40kN/m

0.5wL2/8 = 361kNm

0.79wL2/8 =5715kNm
For hogging moment

Select 406x178x60 UB Grade 50

Section is plastic in bending (NA in the web)
Mcx = 426kNm > 361kNm OK!
M = 361 kNm

Classfication for bending, S355 steel: Plastic

W = 40 kN/m

Check shear at the intermediate support

12m

Fv

Fv = 6x 40 + 361/12= 271kN
Pvx = 675kN
Shear is OK
0.6Pvx = 405 > Fv = 271kN i.e., low shear
Note that high Shear does not coincide with the maximum moment.

Check sagging resistance

Bo = 3000mm
Be = 0.8L/4 = 0.8 x 12000/4 = 2400mm (Control!)
Rc = 0.45fcuBe (Ds-Dp)
R c = 0.45 30 2400 (130 50) 103 = 2590kN
Rs = 2700kN
R s > R c PNA is not in the concrte slab
Rw = Rs 2Rf = 1084kN
Rc > Rw PNA is in the steel flange
18

5-19
D s + D p (R s R c ) 2 T
D
Mc = Rs + R c

2
2
Rf
4

Mc = 781kNm>571kNm
Shear Connection
Rc = 2590kN
Rs = 2700kN
Smaller of Rc and Rs is 2590kN.
Capacity of shear connector (19mm diameter and 95mm long) in
lightweight concrete
Q k = 0. 9 100 kN = 90 kN
Design capacity Q = 0.8Q k = 72 kN
Reduction factor for deck profile

b h
. for two studs per rib
k = 0.60 Dr D 1 08

p p

b r = Average trough width = 150 mm

h = overall height of the stud = 95 mm

150 95
. > 08
.
k = 0.60 50 50 1 = 162

k = 0.8
Resistance of a shear connector = 0.8 x 72 = 57.6kN
For full composite, no. of connectors required
= 2590/(57.6) = 45
Evaluate the x distance between points of zero moment
0.5wL2/8 = 361kNm

W = 40 kN/m
M = 361 kNm

0.79wL2/8 =5715kNm

x
19

12m

Fv = 271kN

5-20

Take moment about the zero moment point

M = 0 = Fx wx2/2
X = 2F/w = 10.5m
Since the trough spacing is 300 mm,
no. of connectors that can be accommodated in half span (x/2), assuming
two connectors per trough
= 2 x (10.2/2)/300 = 35.
Rq = 35x57.6 = 2016 kN < Rc i.e., partial composite
Degree of partial composite = 35/45 = 0.78
Calculate reduced moment using simplified formulae
M = Ms + k (Mc- Ms)
= 426 + 0.78 (781-426)
= 703kNm > 571 kNm OK
( More exact value for Mc is 746 kNm > 571 kNm )
35 + 35studs

35 + 35studs

10.5m

12m

10.5m

12m

Check deflection For Unfactored Imposed Load Only

Unfactored imposed load, w = 18 kN/m
e = s + ( s )
s = 10 = 25 for lightweight concrete
Long term loading: Dead load
8.1kN/m
1/3 Imposed Load
6 kN/m
20

5-21

Total Loading

14.1 kN/m
= 26.1 kN/m

= DL + IL
141
.
=
= 054
.
261
.

Compute composite section properties

e = 18.1
l =0.54
Ig = I x +

Be ( D s D p ) 3
12e

ABe ( D s D p )( D + D s + D p ) 2
4[Ae + Be ( D s D p )]

for uncracked section

I g = 60129 cm4
Uncracked analysis
M1 =0.125wL2 = 324kNm
IL, w = 18kN/m

M1 reduces by 30% to allow for patterned loding

M1 = 0.7 x 324 = 227kNm
M =0
2

M1 = 227
kN

12m
c = o{1-0.6(M1+M2)/Mo}

5wl 4
= 39.4mm =deflection of simply supported composite beam
o =
384EI g
5wl 4
s =
= 109.7mm =deflection of simply supported steel beam
384EI s
M o = wl 2 / 8

21

5-22

To account for partial composite connection

o = o + 0.3(1-Na/Np) (s - o)
= 39.4 + 0.3 (1-0.78) ( 109.7- 39.4)
= 44mm
c = o{1-0.6(M1+M2)/Mo} = 44(1-0.6x0.7)
= 26mm < L/360 = 33mm OK
Check stresses in concrete and steel!!

22

5-23

HOMEWORK Composite Construction

Question 3
(a) Design the composite beam AB assuming that it is simply supported with a span length 12m as
shown in Fig. Qa. Check the moment and shear resistances, and determine the number of shear
connectors required for the full length of the beam.
(b) Design the two-span composite beam CDE with a single span length 12m as shown in Fig. Qb.
Assuming that there is no reinforcement at the intermediate support, check the shear resistance at
the intermediate support and the moment resistances at the hogging and sagging moment regions.
Determine the number of shear connectors required for each span length.
The following information should be used for the above design:
Design data:
Steel: S275
Concrete: Grade 35 light-weight
Slab thickness Ds = 150mm
Shear studs: 19mm diameter, 100mm length, use 2 studs per trough
Metal decking perpendicular to the steel beam: Profile depth Dp = 60mm,
thickness t = 1mm , average trough width br = 130mm
Unfactored uniformly distributed loads:
Dead Load
= 11 kN/m
Imposed load = 10 kN/m
Design constrainst:
Height of steel beam must be less than 400mm.
Beam spacing = 3000mm
w kN/m
A

Fig. Qa

B
12m
w kN/m

w kN/m

E
12m

19mm diameter stud

Fig. Qb

12m

2 studs

300mm

Ds
Dp

95mm
1mm thick
steel deck
130mm
Fig. Qc
23

5-24
Q4 A two-span composite beam of L1 = 10.5m and L2=12m is shown in Fig. Q4. The hogging
section at the intermediate support is reinforced by deformed bars of 12mm diameter spaced at
150mm. Using the simplified table in BS5950:Part3, check the moment resistances at the hogging
and sagging regions assuming full composite action.
The following information should be used for the above design:
Design data:
Steel beam: Grade S275, UB 457 x 191 x 74
Concrete slab: Grade 30, light-weight, slab thickness Ds = 150mm
Shear studs: 19mm diameter, adequately spaced for full composite action
Re-bars: 12mm diameter, fy = 460N/mm2
Unfactored uniformly distributed loads:
Dead Load
= 9.5 kN/m
Imposed load = 15.0 kN/m
Beam spacing = 3000mm
12mm re-bars

150m
30m

Be

150m
12m

10.5m

Fig. Q4

UB 457 x 191 x
74

Section at intermediate support

24

5-25
Q 5 The following figure indicates the proposed composite steel frame structure to be built over an
existing building. The floors to the new building are of reinforced concrete slab.
Design data
Roof
Insulated roof decking
Purlins
Services
Self weight of plate girders (estimated)
Imposed load (Roof)

0.1 kN/m2
0.1 kN/m2
0.15 kN/m2
1.0 kN/m2
0.75 kN/m2

Typical Floor
Finish
150 mm concrete slab
Suspended ceiling
Services
Weight of steel beams (Approx.)
Partition (superimposed dead load)
Imposed load (Floor)

0.1 kN/m2
2.5 kN/m2
0.15 kN/m2
0.15 kN/m2
0.4 kN/m2
1.00 kN/m2
4.0 kN/m2

External cladding

4.00 kN/m2

S275 steel and Grade 30 normal weight concrete should be used.

(a)

(b)
(a)

Design beam A as a two-span continuous composite beam and check for moment and shear.
Determine the number of shear studs for full composite design. Check the total beam
deflection assuming propped construction
Determine suitable section sizes for hanger B (deigned as tension member).
Design column C, assuming simple construction.

25

5-26

6000

6000

6000

6000

Outline of
building

Vertical Bracing

Column 'C'

Beam 'A'

8000
Hanger 'B'

8000

Vertical Bracing

8000

Denotes span of
reinforced
concrete slab

8000
fal

fal
Plate Girder 'D'

Existing Building

Suspended
Ceiling

Existing Floor

Hanger 'B'

3500 (clear height)

150 mm concrete
floo

Suspended
Ceiling

Existing Floor

150 mm concrete
floo

3500

Suspended
Ceiling

5000

SECTION A-A
26