Improved Analytical Method for Interfacial-Slip Control Design of Steel–Concrete Composite Structures

Abstract

Interfacial performance is quite significant for maintaining the structural performance of steel–concrete composite structures. Quantitative assessment on the interfacial effect is critical. For this reason, theoretical investigation on the interfacial interaction of steel–concrete composites was performed, with the symmetry of the model considered. Influence of interfacial slip on the mechanical properties of the composites was considered. Analytical solutions of the interfacial slip and strain were provided. The accuracy of the predictions from the improved analytical model was validated by comparing them against the results from experimental and numerical studies. The influence of design parameters of the composite members on the interfacial effect was discussed. The proposed analytical model was also employed to assess the effect of the bond developing at the interface between concrete and steel on the deformation exhibited by simple composite structural forms (e.g., beams). Through the analysis, the priority design parameters of the composite structures are determined for controlling the level of interfacial slip in order to achieve optimum bearing capacity. Different to commonly used energy methods, numerical methods and finite element methods, the study provides a simple and straightforward analytical solution for describing the interfacial interaction of composite structures for the first time, which can act as scientific instruction for the interfacial slip control of composite materials and structures.