Time-dependent response of continuous steel-concrete composite beams under sustained loading

Abstract

Although the long-term behavior of composite beams raises critical concerns in their application, only a few investigations have been conducted on the time-dependent response of continuous composite beams (CCBs). Herein, long-term tests were conducted on four two-span CCBs with different loading ages. The shear stiffness and time-slip relationship of flexible shear connectors were evaluated by carrying out short-term and long-term push-out tests. The experimental results revealed that loading age substantially affected the development of deflection, interface slip, crack, and internal force redistribution of CCBs under sustained loads. A finite element model (FEM-2) of test specimens was developed, considering the damage evolution, creep and shrinkage of concrete slab, and stiffness degradation of connectors. After the FEM results were verified against the experimental data, the developed FEM-2 model was implemented to further investigate the influences of loading age and loading level on the long-term performance of CCBs.