Elastic rigidity of composite beams with full width slab openings

Openings often exist in the concrete slab of composite floors due to the functional requirements of structures. The strength and rigidity of steel-concrete composite beams are reduced by openings. Based on three tests of steel-concrete composite beams with full openings in the concrete flange, the elastic rigidity of composite beams is analyzed. Finite element analysis (FEA) considering the slip effect between the steel and concrete is conducted to simulate the composite beams with full openings in the concrete slab, and the results show that the FEA method is reliable. The analytical calculation method for the deflection of composite beams with full openings in the concrete slab is also proposed, and the results are verified by tests. The predicted deflections using the analytical method and FEA method both agree well with the test results. It is further verified that openings near the supports have insignificant effects on the deflection at the mid-span and this effect can be thus ignored. The simplified method to calculate the rigidity reduction factor is developed by a regression analysis. The analytical method and FEA method can be used for the serviceability limit state design of steel-concrete composite beams with full openings in the concrete flange.

► Three composite beams with full openings in the concrete flange were tested.
► Elastic finite element analysis and Theoretical analysis were made.
► The practical design method for the rigidity was developed.