Experimental Verification of Natural Vibration Models of Steel-concrete Composite Beams

The article presents the results of experimental dynamic investigations of three steel-concrete composite beams. The beams differed in the stiffness of their shear connection. Steel stud connectors were used in B1 and B2 beams, whereas in B3 beam a perforated steel slat was used. The main goal of the study was to determine basic dynamic characteristics of the beams. Impulse excitation was used in the investigations. The obtained results made it possible to validate two numerical models: (i) a continuous one which was developed using the Timoshenko beam theory; (ii) a discrete one which was developed according to the rigid finite element (RFE) method. After validation of the parameters of both models it turned out that both models provide results consistent with experimental results.