Composite truss beams experimental and theoretical research

The design specifications of composite trusses are only partially included in the European standards. However this construction system can be considered as one of the most economical for building and bridge structures. In general, the composite trusses can be used for greater spans up to the 30 m, which allows better use of internal space without restricting columns. They are appropriate also to meet the requirements for building height limitation, the need to run complex electrical, heating, ventilating, and communication systems. To create the interaction between steel and concrete, it is necessary to prevent the relative slip at the steel and concrete interface using the shear connectors. But the local effects of a concentrated longitudinal force and the distribution of the shear force between steel section and concrete slab, as special task, should be appropriately examined. The finite element analyses can be used to investigate numerically this structural system behavior, exploiting several computer procedures. The experimental research has tested these procedures. The outputs of this study are presented in the paper