Effects of different steel-concrete composite slabs on rigid steel beam-column connection under a column removal scenario

Abstract

Trapezoidal and Reentrant are two ordinary deck profiles in modern steel-concrete composite floor system in China. The progressive collapse resistance of rigid steel beam-column connections with these two different composite deck profiles was experimentally investigated. This research addressed progressive collapse behavior of components evaluated by removing columns through the alternate load path method where the connections simulated the behavior of connections from a multi-bay steel moment-resisting frame. Also, collapse resistance of the connection above the removed column and the adjacent connection was considered. The results were compared with a bare steel subassembly, which has the same configuration but without composite slab, the load carrying capacity of the specimen with trapezoidal steel deck is improved by 28% and the specimen with reentrant steel deck is improved by 44%. The type of steel decks influenced the degree of restraint to the beam top flange and resistance of the connection. The specimen with trapezoidal steel deck had a higher plastic rotation capacity than the reentrant one, but the specimen with reentrant steel deck had improved composite behavior in the large deformation range and, therefore, developed more catenary action than the specimens with trapezoidal steel deck. Overall, the specimens with reentrant steel deck had a better performance under the progressive collapse situation, however, some constructional measures must be made to delay the bottom beam flange fracture.