The aimof this paper is to understand the structural behaviour of composite slabs. These composite slabs are made of steel and different\nkinds of concrete.Themethodology used in this paper combines experimental studies with advanced techniques of numerical\nsimulations. In this paper, four types of concrete were used in order to study their different structural strengths in composite slabs.\nThematerials used were three lightweight concretes, a normal concrete, and a cold conformed steel deck which has embossments to\nincrease the adherence between concrete and steel. Furthermore, two lengths of slabswere studied to compare structural behaviours\nbetween short and long slabs. m-k experimental tests were carried out to obtain the flexural behaviour of the composite slabs.\nThese tests provide dimensionless coefficients to compare different sizes of slabs. Nonlinear numerical simulations were performed\nby means of the finite element method (FEM). Four different multilinear isotropic hardening laws were used to simulate the four\nconcretes. Coulomb friction contact was used to model the coefficient of friction between steel and concrete. Finally, a chemical\nbond was included to consider sliding resistance in the contact surface between steel and concrete. Experimental and numerical\nresults are in good agreement; therefore, numerical models can be used to improve and optimize lightweight composite slabs.
Loading....