Exact static analysis of partially composite beams and beam-columns

The ordinary differential equations and general solutions for the deflection and internal actions and, especially, the pertaining consistent boundary conditions for partially composite Euler–Bernoulli beams and beam-columns are presented. Static loading conditions, including transverse and axial loading and first- and second-order analyses are considered. The theoretical procedure is applicable to general loading and boundary conditions for uniform composite beams and beam-columns with interlayer slip. Further, the exact closed form characteristic equations and their associated exact buckling length coefficients for composite columns with interlayer slip are derived for the four Euler boundary conditions. It is shown that these coefficients are the same as those for ordinary fully composite (solid) columns, except for the Euler clamped-pinned case. For the clamped-pinned case, the difference between the exact buckling length coefficient and the corresponding value for solid columns is less than 1.8% depending on the so-called composite action parameter and relative bending stiffness parameter. Correspondingly, the maximum deviation between the exact and approximate buckling load is at most 2.5%. These small differences can in most practical cases be neglected. Also, the maximum theoretical range for the relative bending stiffness for partially composite beams and beam-columns is derived. An effective bending stiffness, valuable in the determination of the critical buckling load for partially composite members, is derived. This effective bending stiffness is also suitable for analysing approximate deflections and internal actions or stresses in composite beams with flexible shear connection. The beam-column analysis is applied to a specific case. The difference in the approaches to the first- and second-order analysis is illustrated and the results clearly show the magnification in the actions and displacements due to the second-order effect. The magnification of the internal axial forces is different from magnifications obtained for the other internal actions, since only that portion of an internal axial force that is induced by bending is magnified by the second-order effect.