Composite Construction

Introduction to composite
construction of buildings

General
Steel and concrete
These two materials complete one
another:
Concrete is efficient in compression and steel in
tension
Concrete encasement restrain steel against buckling
Concrete provides Protection against corrosion and
fire
Steel bring ductility into the structure
2

Composite construction refers to any

members composed of more than one
material. The parts of these composite
members are rigidly connected such that
no relative movement can occur.
The main composite elements in buildings
are
1.Steel Concrete Composite Beam
2.Composite Slab
3.Composite Columnn
3

Steel Concrete Composite Beam

Composite beams are normally hot rolled or fabricated
steel sections that act compositely with the slab. The
composite interaction is achieved by the attachment of
shear connectors to the top flange of the beam. These
connectors generally take the form of headed studs.

The composite action increases the load

carrying capacity and stiffness of the beam
by factors of up to 2 and 3.5 respectively.
It is normally designed to be unpropped
during construction, and must be sized to
support the self-weight of the slab, and other
construction loads, in their non-composite
state.
5

size of the steel section is governed by serviceability

considerations because composite beams tend to be used
for long span applications
Check that beam deflections during construction will not
lead to significant additional concrete loads (due to
ponding) that have not been allowed for in the design
The bending resistance of the section is normally evaluated
using plastic principles

The plastic moment resistance is calculated using

idealized rectangular stress Blocks.
It is assumed that stresses of fyd and 0.85 fcd can be
achieved in the steel and concrete respectively

Composite beams are generally shallower (for any

given span and loading) than non-composite beams,
and they are used commonly in long span applications.
Consequently, deflections are often critical.

The Various types of composite Beams

Shear Connectors
These connectors are designed to
Transmit longitudinal shear along the interface
prevent separation of steel beam and concrete
at the interface

slab

10

most common type of shear connector used in composite

beams for buildings is a 19 mm diameter by either 100
mm or 125 mm long welded stud.

11

The property of shear connector most relevant to design is the

relation-ship between the shear force transmitted, P, and the slip at
the interface, s This load-slip curve should ideally be found from
tests on composite beams.

12

Composite slabs
consist of profiled steel decking with an in-situ
reinforced concrete topping.
The decking(profiled steel sheeting) not only acts as
permanent formwork to the concrete, but also provides
sufficient shear bond with the concrete so that, when
the concrete has gained strength, the two materials act
together compositely
span between 3 m and 4.5 m onto supporting
beams or walls
13

If the slab is unpropped during construction, the

decking alone resists the selfweight of the wet
concrete and construction loads. Subsequent loads are
applied to the composite section.
If the slab is propped, all of the loads have to be
resisted by the composite section.
are usually designed as simply supported members in the
normal condition

14

Profiled steel sheeting

depths ranging from 45 mm to over 200 mm
yield strengths ranging from 235 N/mm2 to at least 460
N/mm2
.8 mm and 1.5 mm thick
The various shapes provide Interlock between steel and concrete

frictional

mechanical
15

 decking may also be used to stabilise the

beams against lateral torsional buckling
during construction.
stabilise the building as a whole by acting as a
diaphragm to transfer wind loads to the walls
and columns
temporary construction load usually governs
the choice of decking profile
16

17

COMPOSITE COLUMNS
A steel-concrete composite column is a compression
member, comprising either a concrete encased hot-rolled
steel section or a concrete filled tubular section of hotrolled steel.

18

The presence of the concrete is allowed for in two

ways.
protection from fire
It is assumed to Resist a small axial load
to reduce the effective slenderness of the steel
member, which increases its resistance to axial load.

The bending stiffness of steel columns of H-or Isection is much greater in the plane of the web (majoraxis bending) than in a plane parallel to the flanges
(minor-axis bending).
19

The ductility performance of circular type of columns

is significantly better than rectangular types.
There is no requirement to provide additional reinforcing
steel for composite concrete filled tubular sections.
corrosion protection is provided by concrete to steel
sections in encased columns

20

While local buckling of the steel sections may be

eliminated, the reduction in the compression resistance of
the composite column due to overall buckling should
definitely be allowed for.
The plastic compression resistance of a composite crosssection represents the maximum load that can be applied to
a short composite column.

21

Joints

Example of vertical shear transfer

between beam and column
bracket for the lower flange
reinforcement

weld seam

removed after concreting

contact piece
bracket with shear connectors

shot-fired nails

22

Aspects for using composite

structures:

Architectural

Economical

Functionality

Service and Flexibility

Assembly
23

Aspects for using composite

structures
Architectural:

Longer spans

Thinner slabs

More slender column

More generous opportunities for

design

24

Aspects for using composite

structures
Economical:

Reduction of height reduces the total of

the building --> saving area of cladding

Longer spans with the same height

--> column free rooms

Additional storeys with the same

total height of building

Quicker time of erection:

Saving costs, earlier completion of the building
Lower financing costs
Ready for use earlier thus increasing
rental income
25

Aspects for using composite

structures
Functionality:

Fire protection by using principles of reinforced

concrete in which the concrete protects the steel

26

Aspects for using composite

structures
Service and building flexibility:

Adaptable structures
Modification during the life of the building
Modify services without violating the privacy of
other occupants

Accommodation of service facilities

in the ceiling
within a false floor
in a coffer box running along the walls
27

Aspects for using composite

structures
Assembly:

Working platforms of steel decking

Permanent shuttering

Reinforcement of profiled steel sheetings

Speed and simplicity of construction

Quality controlled products ensure greater accuracy

28

Construction methods
Traditionally two counteracting methods of
construction could be observed both connected with
special advantages but also disadvantages worth
mentioning.
Conventional concrete
Construction in steel
construction method
+ freedom of form and
shapes
+ easy to handle

+ high ratio between bearing

capacity and weight
+ prefabrication

+ thermal resistance

+ high accuracy

- time-consuming shuttering

- low fire resistance

- sensitive on tensile forces

- need of higher educated

29
personal

Construction methods

Composite Construction
comparing these two methods a combination of both
presents the most economic way
+ higher bearing capacity
+ higher stiffness
+ plastic redistribution

30

Examples
Millennium Tower (Vienna - Austria)

55 storeys
Total height 202 m
Total ground floor 38000 m2
Capital expenditure about 145 million Euro
Time of erection: 8 months

31

Examples
Millennium Tower (Vienna - Austria)

33,05 m

42,342,3
m m

Concrete slab

Concrete core

Composite Slim floor beams

Composite columns

Composite frame

32

Examples
Millennium Tower (Vienna - Austria)

Total time of erection: 8 month

max. speed 2 to 2.5 storeys per week!

33

Examples
Parking deck DEZ (Innsbruck - Austria)

Erection of composite columns over 2 storeys

Assembly of prefabricated concrete slabs
34

Examples
Parking deck DEZ (Innsbruck - Austria)

4 storeys
Ground dimensions 60 x 30 m
Max. span length 10.58 m with
26 cm slim floor slab (= l/40)

35