Large-scale test of symmetric cold-formed steel (CFS)–concrete composite beams with BTTST enhancement

A new connection device, based on bent-up tab shear transfer enhancement called bent-up triangular tab shear transfer (BTTST), has been studied through a symmetric cold-formed steel (CFS)–concrete composite beam subjected to a static bending test. BTTST provides an alternative connector system unique to CFS where CFS sections are usually thinner than hot-rolled sections and welding of headed-stud shear connectors is inapplicable. Coupled with the back-to-back arrangement of two CFS channels where symmetricity of the built-up section is restored, the resulting composite floor system has been proven to possess adequate strength and stiffness properties under static loads. The work has shown that the predicted values of the flexural capacities calculated using a new equation of shear capacity of BTTST agrees reasonably well with the experimental values.

Research highlights
► Cold-formed steel (CFS)–concrete composite beams were suggested.
► 15 specimens investigated influence of using BTTST.
► Validation of BTTST equation by comparing the results of theoretical and experimental.