Evaluation of the influence of shrinkage strain on the fatigue strength of the connection in steel–concrete composite beams

The paper presents the author's proposal for calculation of shear stresses (disintegrating) induced by concrete shrinkage at the interface of steel and concrete. The proposal also presents expressions to calculate the fatigue strength of a connection in steel–concrete composite girders. The expressions to calculate fatigue strength are based on the results of experiments performed by the author. Based on the results of analyses it can be stated that the load bearing capacity of a connection with flexible shear connectors is strongly affected by a concrete slab adhesion to a steel girder. This effect depends on the stiffness ratio of the girder to concrete deck (coefficient δ), concrete strength and diameter of shear studs d, as well as the value of shrinkage strain of concrete. Fatigue strength of a connection with strip connectors is affected by the geometry of the composite girder and its components, concrete strength and concrete shrinkage strain. At low values of δ, low concrete grades and large diameters of shear connectors or holes, the fatigue strength of the composite connection is likely to be exhausted.