A new model for the analysis of composite steel – concrete slab and beam structures with deformable connection

 In this paper a solution to the bending problem of reinforced concrete slabs stiffened by steel beams with deformable connection including creep and shrinkage effect is presented. The adopted model takes into account the resulting inplane forces and deformations of the plate as well as the axial forces and deformations of the beam, due to combined response of the system. The analysis consists in isolating the beams from the plate by sections parallel to the lower outer surface of the plate. The forces at the interface producing lateral deflection and inplane deformation to the plate and lateral deflection and axial deformation to the beams are related with the interface slip through the shear connector stiffness. Any distribution of connectors along the interface and any linear or non-linear load–slip relationship or partial shear connection for the shear connectors can be handled. The creep and shrinkage effect relative with the time of the casting and the time of the loading of the plate is taken into account. The solution of the arising plate and beam problems, which are nonlinearly coupled, is achieved using the analog equation method (AEM). The adopted model compared with those ignoring the inplane forces and deformations, approaches more reliable the actual response of the plate–beams system. Moreover, it permits the evaluation of the shear forces at the interfaces, the knowledge of which is very important in the design of composite steel–concrete structures.