Static behaviour of a steel–concrete composite beam with an innovative horizontal connection

Abstract

A new connection device, based on horizontal shear connectors and avoiding welding, has been studied through a steel–concrete composite beam subjected to a static bending test. Experimental results show a behaviour similar to steel–concrete composite beams with classical connectors: elastic and yield domains, great ductility, flexural failure mode (plastic hinge), low relative movements at steel–concrete interface. Consequently, this study allows to validate the proposed connection device under static loading and shows that it suits structural modern codes requirements.