Strength and rotational behaviour of composite beam–column connections

Abstract

The results of an experimental study of the strength and rotational characteristics of composite steel–concrete beam–column connections are reported. Three types of connection, flexible, semi-rigid, and rigid, were studied. Specimens in which the steel elements were connected in identical fashion were tested with no concrete slab and with a heavily and a lightly reinforced composite slab that was continuous around the column.It was found that provision of as little as 0.46% of the concrete slab area, as slab reinforcement continuing around the column, enabled a beam–column connection to develop a moment of resistance at least equal to the ultimate moment capacity of the associated composite beam, even when the connection between the steel elements themselves had no significant moment carrying capacity. The rotational capacity of the composite beam–column connections was at least equal to that of a conventional noneomposite rigid steel connection.