Composite construction

Many buildings are constructed with a steel framework composed of steel beams and steel columns but mostly with a concrete floor slab. A much stiffer and stronger structure can be achieved by ensuring that the steel beams and concrete slabs act together as composite and so effectively monolithic units. This composite behaviour is obtained by providing shear connections at the interface between the steel beam and the concrete slab as shown in figure 13.1. These shear connections resist the horizontal shear at the interface and prevent slippage between the beam and the slab. The shear connectors are usually in the form of steel studs welded to the top flange of the beam and embedded in the concrete slab.