Composite Deck Design

Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
Table of Content
DESIGN OF COMPOSITE
DECKS
composite_deck_design.doc
1.0 Introduction............................................................................................. 2
2.0 Influence of the Construction Method .................................................... 2
3.0 Effective Area of Concrete ..................................................................... 3
4.0 Strength Calculation................................................................................ 3
5.0 Shear Connectors .................................................................................... 5
6.0 Deflection................................................................................................ 7
7.0 Longitudinal Planes Shear Strength ........................................................ 9
Appendix A................................................................................................. 12
Appendix B................................................................................................. 16
Composite Deck Design
page 1 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
1.0 Introduction
Buildings and bridges frequently use concrete slabs supported by
steel beams. Slabs transfer floor and deck loads to steel beams and
these beams bear the entire structure loading. The beams and the
slabs deflect together and the concrete slabs are usually adjacent to
the compression side of the beam cross-section. If these two
elements could act together with mechanical connection to resist
bending, a structurally and economically advantageous system might
be accomplished. This is a composite cross-section. According to
the Handbook of Steel Construction composite designs consist of
steel sections, trusses, or joists, interconnected with either a
reinforced concrete slab or a steel deck with a concrete cover slab.
For other detail definitions about composite section, refer to the
standards (at the time of this writing: CAN/CSA S16.01 (buildings) or
S6-00 (bridges)). In the following issues of S16.01 are being treated,
while S6-00 being rather similar may deviate in some details.
Assuming that adequate interconnections are provided between the
concrete slab and the steel beam, it is obvious that the composite
system results advantages especially when heavy loads and long
spans are involved. As load applies, both the steel beam and the
concrete slab act together to carry the load so that the size of the
required steel beam will be less than that for the non-composite
section. This reduction in steel weight, not only directly saves cost,
but also reduces the overall depth of the beam and the slab. This
also causes major savings in a multi-storey building, or a low-rise
building. The overload capacity of a composite system is better than
that of a non-composite system of the same size because the former
system is stiffer. Deflections of a composite system will also be
reduced under superimposed load. Although a composite crosssection has lots of benefits, additional cost of providing connection
between the slab and the beam arises. Except for lightly loaded or
short spans, the saving provided by the reduction in beam size is
usually greater than the cost of the necessary connectors.
The principle force that must be transferred is the horizontal shear at
the interface of the slab and the beam if they are acting as a unit.
Attaching connectors to the top flange of the steel beam allows this
transfer of force. Three methods are commonly used to attain

composite action.
1) Connectors are imbedded in the concrete as the slab is poured
and will bear against the hardened concrete when loads are applied.
75, 100, 130mm deep channels are usually used. Adequate cover
must be provided between the top of the channel and the slab
surface.
2) Attachment of welded studs to the beam flange. A welding gun
is used to hold the stud in position and make a weld at its contact
with the beam simultaneously. Studs range in diameter from 14 to
22 mm and normally are about 75 mm long. They are also the most
commonly used type of shear connectors. Rapid Installation can be
done either in shop or in field.
3) Steel beam is completely encased in concrete and the load
transfers would be attained by bond between these two elements.
Although fireproofing of the steel is taken into consideration, the
added dead load of the concrete around the beam is considerable.
This arrangement is seldom used in modern building construction.
2.0 Influence of the Construction Method

With different construction method, the composite sections react to
load differently. Two construction methods are usually applied:
1) Steel beams are shored (supported at close intervals) during the
pouring of slab and the shores remain in place until the concrete has
attained a reasonable amount of its 28-day strength (usually 75%).
Then the composite section is available to carry all loads upon
removal of the shores. However, the hardened concrete will tend to
creep under the sustained action of long-term loads. The stresses
due to these loads are thereby increased over their nominal value.
2) Forms carrying wet concrete are supported directly by steel beam
(unshored construction). The steel section alone must carry the
loads imposed at this moment. The composite cross-section is only
available to carry all subsequently imposed loads after the concrete
has fully hardened.
Tests have shown that the ultimate load that can be carried by a
given cross-section is independent of the method of construction,
regardless of differences in the two construction methods that have
previously been discussed. Therefore, total load is assumed to be
page 2 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
applied to the composite section. However, the adequacy of the

steel section under the dead load of the wet concrete in addition to
formwork must be checked.
In order to prevent the bottom flange of an unshored steel beam
during construction from yielding under the specified loads, which is
a condition that will influence deflections, Clause 17.11 states that
the stresses in the tension flange of the steel section are not to
exceed the yield strength of steel Fy, prior to hardening of the
concrete. The loads to be considered are those applied both prior to
hardening of the concrete and those applied after. This is a
serviceability problem; therefore, specified loads are considered in
analysis. The following equation expressed the above relationship:
M1 M 2
+
Fy
Ss
St
(2.1)
where M1 = moment caused by the specified loads that act on the

member PRIOR to attainment of 75 % of the required
concrete strength
M2 = moment caused by the specified loads that act on the
member SUBSEQUENT to attainment of 75% of the
required concrete strength
Ss = elastic section modulus, referred to the bottom flange,
of the steel section alone
St = elastic section modulus, referred to the bottom flange, of
the composite steel-concrete section
To calculate the section modulus of the composite section St, the
area of the concrete slab must be transformed into an equivalent
area of steel in the ratio of the moduli of elasticity of the two
materials. This modular ratio
n=
Es
is usually prescribed in the
Ec
applicable building code. It is customary to apply the reduction to the

slab width, rather than to its thickness or to some proportion of each.
3.0 Effective Area of Concrete

The area of slab that may be considered tributary to each beam must
be established for strength calculation. Theoretically, this is a
function of the span length, the shape of the moment diagram, and
Poissons ratio for the material. Based on these considerations and
results of tests, rules have evolved to provide a sufficiently accurate
judgment.
The requirements for buildings as given in the Handbook (CAN/CSA
S16.1-94), Clause 17.4 are presented as follows:
a) For slabs or cover slabs extending on both sides of the steel
section or joist shall be deemed to have a design effective width, b,
equal to the lesser of
i) 0.25 times the composite beam span; or
ii) the average distance from the center of the steel section,
truss, or joist to the centers of adjacent parallel supports
b) For slabs or cover slabs extending on one side only of the
supporting section or joist shall be deemed to have a design effective
width, b not greater than the width of the top flange of the steel
section or top chord of the steel joist or truss plus the lesser of
i) 0.1 times the composite beam span; or
ii) 0.5 times the clear distance between the steel section,
truss, or joist and the adjacent parallel support.
These rules are applicable to calculate the strength of a composite
section on an elastic stress basis. It is the best to describe the
strength of a composite section using its ultimate capacity, and is
also known that the effective slab widths at ultimate are less than
those described above for the interior beams case and greater for
the exterior beams case. Although the elastic design rules can
underestimate the effective slab width for an interior beam by a large
margin (up to 20%), the effect on the moment capacity is relatively
small (up to 4%). Therefore, the above rules for effective slab width
based on elastic analysis are still valid.
4.0 Strength Calculation

Deflection of a member acting under working loads; shear and
flexural capacities are calculated to evaluate the strength of a beam
page 3 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
made of only one material. These requirements also apply to the

composite section, and the principles of strength calculation are
based on a steel beam and a solid concrete slab. In addition, a
designer must ensure that these two components act as a single
unit.
In the case of steel beams, it is assumed that the beam web carried
all of the vertical shear force, and the same approach is applied to
composite beams. As shown in the Clause 13.4.1.1:
(4.1)
Vr = * AW * FS
d = depth of steel section in mm

e = lever arm between the compressive and the tensile
forces in mm
Cr = total compressive force in kN
Tr = total tensile force in kN
In accordance with the ultimate strength evaluation of concrete, the
ultimate compressive stress in the concrete is taken as 0.85 fc,
where fc is the 28-day compressive strength. The corresponding
compressive force is:
C ' r = 0.85 * c * f ' c * b * a
(4.1.1)
Calling the cross sectional area of the steel As, an equilibrium
equation for horizontal forces can be written as follows:
The flexural capacity of a composite beam is evaluated based on

that the concrete does not resist tension. Two cases will be
considered: neutral axis falls within the concrete slab and neutral
axis falls within the steel section. This is determined by trial to
determine which case is applied.
From the above equation, the unknown value a can be solved:
where AW = shear area (d*w) for rolled steel shapes in mm2

FS = 0.66 FY (except for deep members) in MPa
= resistance factor
0.85 * c * f ' c * b * a = * As * Fy
4.1 Neutral axis falls within the concrete slab

The stress conditions for a cross-section in which the neutral axis
lies in the slab are shown in Figure 4.1:
a=
* As * Fy
0.85 * c * f ' c * b
(4.1.2)
If the neutral axis lies in the slab, the ultimate moment resistance can
be evaluated as in Clause 17.9.3(a):
Mrc = * As * Fy * e'
(4.1.3)
It is obtained by summing moments about the location of the
resultant compressive force in the slab. The lever arm between the
compressive and the tensile forces can be calculated by the known
value a, and cross sectional dimensions t and d.
Shear connectors must transfer the total force at the interface of the
concrete slab and the steel section. The total force can be defined
by either the total compressive force, Cr, or the total tensile force, Tr.
Since they are equal, either one can be used. It is convenient to use
tensile force represents the horizontal shear force, Vh, to be
transferred as described in Clause 17.9.5:
(4.1.4)
Vh = * AS * FY
Figure 4.1. Composite Cross Section with Neutral Axis in Slab

where c = resistance factor for concrete, which is taken to be 0.6
b = effective slab width in mm
a = depth of concrete in compression zone in mm
t = thickness of concrete slab in mm
This factored shear force should be smaller than the factored

resistance of the shear connectors to ensure that the system is valid.
More detail design of shear connectors will be discussed in Section
5.0.
See Example 1 in Appendix A for sample calculation.
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Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
If the calculated a is not equal to or less than the slab thickness t, the
assumption that the neutral axis lies in the slab is wrong; the other
alternative has to be examined.
4.2 Neutral Axis in the Steel Section
The value of the compressive force in steel, Cr, can be solved by

equations 4.2.1, and 4.2.2:
Cr =
* As * Fy C ' r
(4.2.3)
Substituting equation 4.1.1 for Cr with a = t:
If the neutral axis lies in the steel section, the full depth of the
concrete slab is in compression and the steel section is fully yielded
in compression above the neutral axis and fully yielded in tension
below the neutral axis. This condition is shown in Figure 4.2:
Cr =
* As * Fy 0.85 * c * f ' c * b * t
2
(4.2.4)
Taking the moments of forces about the centroid of the tensile force,
the flexural resistance can be evaluated as in Clause 17.9.3(b):
Mrc = Cr * e + C ' r * e'
(4.2.5)
It is implicit that the steel section must accommodate plastic strains
in both tension and compression whenever the neutral axis lies in the
steel section. Therefore, Class 1 or Class 2 section must be chosen
in order to be capable of developing plastic moment capacity.
When neutral axis locates in the steel section, total forces transfer by
shear connectors can be described using the compressive force
above the interface, Cr, as described in Clause 17.9.5:
Vh = 0.85 * c * b * t * f ' c
(4.2.6)
Figure 4.2. Composite Cross Section with Neutral Axis in Steel

Section
where Cr = the compressive force in the steel section above the

neutral axis
Cr = the compressive force in the concrete in kN
Tr = tensile force in the steel section below the neutral axis
in kN
e = lever arm between Cr and Tr in mm
e = lever arm between Cr and Tr in mm
5.0 Shear Connectors
Considering equilibrium of the horizontal forces, the location of the

neutral axis can be obtained:
Tr = C r + C ' r
(4.2.1)
Another expression for the tensile force can be written:
Tr = * As * Fy Cr
(4.2.2)
5.1 Full Shear Connection

For end-welded stud with a height to diameter ratio of at least four,
Clause 17.7.2.1 specifies a factored shear resistance qrs, in newtons
per stud, is the less of the followings:
The strength of shear connectors can be established from tests in

order to ensure that the shear connectors are able to transmit the
forces at the slab-steel section interface. In most commonly
encountered situations, values based on test results are given in the
Standard.
qrs = 0.5 * sc * Asc *

qrs = sc * Asc * Fu
f ' c * Ec
(5.1.1)
(5.1.2)
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Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
where Fu = tensile strength of the stud material in MPa, for

commonly available studs is 415 MPa
Asc = cross-sectional area in mm2 per stud
Ec = Modulus of elasticity of concrete in MPa
cs = factor of resistance for studs, which is usually taken to
be 0.8
coverplate is involved. Therefore, this will be beneficial for a heavy

loaded span only.
Equation 5.1.1 is mainly based on test results and is applicable to

studs that are fully embedded in solid slabs of normal or lightweight
concrete. This represents the stud capacity as achieved when the
concrete adjacent to the stud fails by crushing. Since the same tests
showed that failure of the stud itself occurred only after considerable
bending of the stud, equation 5.1.2 is an expression for the tensile
capacity of the stud.
In reality, full shear connection is either not necessary or not

economical. When design is controlled by deflections, there is no
advantage in providing all the shear connectors for full shear
transfer. On the other hand, it might be simply more economical to
reduce the number of shear connectors from 100% of the required
amount for full shear transfer and to accept the drawback of a
reduced flexural capacity. It can be the case that a shear transfer of
about 50% is able to produce ultimate flexural capacities of
approximate 80% of the corresponding to full composite action.
Practically, all composite construction in buildings in Canada is done
on the basis of partial shear connection.
For factored shear resistance for channel connectors, which are less
frequently used, refer to Clause 17.7.3 for more information.
For factored shear resistance for end-welded studs in ribbed slabs
with ribs parallel to the beam, and in ribbed slabs with ribs
perpendicular to the beam, refer to Clause 17.7.2.2 and 17.7.2.3 for
detail respectively.
To determine the required number of shear connectors, the force to
be transferred (i.e. equation 4.1.4 and equation 4.2.6) and the
aforesaid resistance per connector (i.e. equation 5.1.1 and equation
5.1.2) are evaluated. Connectors can be uniformly distributed
between the point of maximum moment and an adjacent zero
moment location. The flexibility of the shear connectors permits the
usage of uniform spacing. As stated in CAN/CSA-S.16.1-94, certain
restrictions are applied on the number of shear connectors when
concentrated loads are present. Refer to Clause 17.9.8 for applied
restrictions.
See Example 3 & 4 in Appendix A for sample calculation.
The neutral axis can be brought down below the level of the slab by
attaching a coverplate on the bottom flange of the steel beam. This
allows higher utilization of the concrete and the steel section. The
steel weight would likely be less but additional cost in attaching the

5.2 Partial Shear Connection
In Clause 17.9.4, it is required that if flexural strength controls the

design, the number of shear connectors must be at least 40% of that
needed for full composite action to ensure that the member will
behave compositely throughout its full loading history. If design is
controlled by deflection, the degree of shear transfer is permitted to
be as low as 25%.
The number of shear connectors supplied will be the force actually
transferred at the slab-steel section interface. The total factored
resistances of all shear connectors between points of maximum and
zero moment (Qr) is given:
Qr = qr
where
(5.2.1)
qr = capacity of an individual connector as calculated by

equation 5.1.1 or equation 5.1.2
If neutral axis is assumed in the slab, the shear force transferred if

full composite action were present would be Vh = * As * Fy as
evaluated in equation 4.1.4. However, by the definition of partial
shear connection, the amount of shear force transferred will be less
than 100%, i.e. the actual force transferred is less than that found in
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Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
equation 4.1.4. That means for all cases of shear transfer less than
100%, the location of the neutral axis must lie within the steel
section, and not in the slab.
The resulting stress block model is shown in Figure 5.1
6.0 Deflection
Shrinkage of concrete, effects of increased flexibility caused by
partial shear connection and from interface slip, and effects of creep
due to specified load, will affect the deflections of a composite beam.
This is further complicated if a slab is continuous over beam-to-girder
connections and around columns. However, the continuity will
reduce deflections as compared to the system that is truly simple
connections.
Figure 5.1.
Connection
Composite
Cross-Section with
Partial
Shear
The compressive force in the concrete is given by:
C' r = Qr = qr
(5.2.2)
This is also equal to:
C ' r = 0.85 * c * f ' c * b * a

(5.2.3)
The depth of concrete slab required to accommodate the shear force
actually transferred can be obtained by equating equation 5.2.2, and
equation 5.2.3, and this becomes:
a=
Qr
0.85 * c * f ' c * b
* As * Fy C ' r
2
[4.2.3]
Then the location of the neutral axis within the steel section can be
determined such that equilibrium of horizontal forces is satisfied.
Once the neutral axis location is found, the moment arms e between
Cr and Tr , and e between Cr and Tr can be calculated, and the
resisting moment is:
Mrc = Cr * e + C ' r * e'
[4.2.5]
The moment of inertia of the composite section should be used to

calculate the deflections due to short-term live loads applied after the
concrete has hardened. The modular ratio n is used to transform the
concrete into an equivalent amount of steel.
Partial shear
connection should be recognized if it is present. This effect is taken
into consideration in Clause 17.3.1(a):
Ie = Is + 0.85 * (p) 0.25 * (It Is)
(6.1)
where Ie = effective moment of inertia
p = fraction of full shear connection (p = 1.0 for full shear
connection)
It = transformed moment of inertia of composite section
Is = moment of inertia of steel section alone.
(5.2.4)
Recall that the expression for Cr is:
Cr =
Calculation of composite beam deflections should start with an

identification of those that result from the loads that are applied
before composite action is attained. Under this circumstance, only
the steel beam alone is effective.
An adjustment will apply even for the case of full shear transfer. This
reflects the observation that the inherent (and desirable) flexibility of
the shear connectors will increase beam deflections over those
calculated using elastic beam theory.
Plastic flow (creep) in concrete will be produced due to dead load
and long-term live loads. In order to take this into consideration,
Clause 17.3.1(b) suggested that these deflections be calculated as
page 7 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
though they were elastic and then a 15% increase is applied. This is
because the deflection due to creep is usually a small part of the
total deflection of a composite system, and this assumption gives
reasonable result.
As concrete in the composite section shrinks, its volume changes
while the steel section does not change length as concrete curves.
However, the continuity of the two-part system, enforced by the
shear connectors, requires curvatures to be taken place, and the
resulting deflection can be a significant part of the total deflection of
the composite system.
The induced force in the concrete as a result of the slab shrinkage:
F = c * Ac
(6.2)
and
c = Ect * f
(6.3)
f = free shrinkage strain
Ect = effective modulus of concrete in tension, which is a
time-dependent value
Ac = effective area of the concrete slab
This force acts at the centroid of the concrete slab and this produces
a moment about the elastic neutral axis of the cross-section:
M = F * y = Ect * f * Ac * y
(6.4)
where
where
y = distance from the centroid of effective area of concrete

slab to the elastic neutral axis
Assumed that this effect is uniform along the length of the member,
the deflection that will occur in a simply supported beam of length L
is:
s =
M * L2
8 * E * It
(6.5)
Equation 6.5 is obtained using area-moment principles.

The
modulus E is for steel and the moment of inertia will be that of the
transformed section. By substituting the value of M obtained in
equation 6.4, and nt for the ratio of E/Ect., the deflection due to
shrinkage of the concrete as stated in Clause 17.3.1(c) is:
s =
f * Ac * L2 * y
8 * nt * It
(6.6)
In Standard Appendix L suggests that the appropriate values for the

modular ratio nt for composite design are in the range 40-60.
Proper value should be used for free shrinkage strain and effective
modulus of concrete in tension. The selected value for the free
shrinkage stain depends on properties of the concrete, such as
water/cement ratio, percent fines, entrained air, and curing
conditions. Appendix L of Standard suggests that
f = 800*106 is
used for free shrinkage strain if no better data is provided. The

selected value for modulus of concrete in tension is time dependent;
i.e. as tensile strain due to the reducing volumetric change
increases, the modulus decreases.
However, the shrinkage
deflection induced by this tensile strain is not time sensitive to the
modulus of elasticity: both the effective moment of inertia and the
distance y vary with modulus of elasticity. Again, Appendix L of
Standard provides guidance on appropriate values to be used.
Since deflections are usually accommodated, it is important to try to
estimate the effects of structural continuity by cambering, by
adjustments in slab thickness, or by shoring of the steel beam at the
time of placing of the concrete. It is unattractive to have a slab that
is either bowed upward or sag downward. Designers regularly
calculate deflection by assuming members are simply supported.
This assumption results an overestimate of actual deflection by a
rather large amount. This is due to two major factors:
1) neither beam-to-girder nor girder or beam-to-column connections
are truly simple, even though the member may have been analyzed
on that basis.
2) the concrete slab in the composite system will likely to be
continuous over all beam-to-girder regions and around the columns.
The resulting system will actually be much stiffer. Thus, the actual
deflection would be much less than the calculated deflection.
To make this calculation more practical, a reduction based on
experience or judgment should be applied to the calculated
deflections, which is based on the assumption of simple connections.
From previous experience, a reduction based on the application of
negative end moments equal to 25% of the mid-span moment of a
uniformly loaded beam will give a reasonable estimate of the
page 8 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
continuity effect for framing that is usually found in an office building

construction.
Extra reinforcement should be placed near the top of the slab to
minimize cracking due to the fact that the continuity of the slab will
create negative moment region which causes concrete tends to
crack at the top surface.
Shear capacity of a composite system is generally reduced as
compared to that of a non-composite system; contribution of shear to
the total deflection may be very important if the loads are high or the
spans are too short. Therefore, designers should be alert to
recognize situations in which the effect of shear upon the deflections
is significant.
7.0 Longitudinal Planes Shear Strength

Figure 7.1. Longitudinal Shear in Composite Beams
Forces or stresses acting along longitudinal shear planes in the
concrete should be checked. Figure 7.1(a) illustrates these forces in
a solid slab composite beam. Figure 7.1(b) shows another possible
shear-out for solid slab composite beams. A hollow composite beam
is shown in Figure 7.1(c).
where Cr1, Cr2, Cr3 = compressive force

Vu = longitudinal shear of composite beams with solid slabs
and steel deck parallel to the beam
In Figure 7.1(a), total compressive force in the slab is broken down
into components according to the assumed location of the
longitudinal shear planes. The directions of the longitudinal shear
forces illustrated in the figure are associated with compressive
forces. In order to investigate the longitudinal shear in composite
system thoroughly, the middle section of the slab shown in Figure
7.1(a) is enlarged and shown in Figure 7.2. The horizontal surface
has been taken through the shear connectors, either at the neutral
axis if it is within the slab, or at the steel section to slab interface.
Based on this, the longitudinal shear forces in the slab must be equal
and opposite to those illustrated in Figure 7.1(a).
page 9 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
8.0 Behaviour under Negative Moment

The concrete slab in a composite system will be subjected to tension
and is regarded as ineffective when the section is under the action of
a negative bending moment.
On the other hand, the slab
reinforcement that runs parallel to the beam and lies within the
effective slab width can be considered to carry part of the negative
moment, provided that certain conditions, i.e. shear connectors are
provided in this region and reinforcement has adequate embedment
in a zone of positive moment, are fulfilled. Theoretically, shear
connectors are not necessary in this region as concrete is assumed
to be cracked and ineffective. However, if the short portion
uncracked concrete is anchored to the steel beam, it will serve to
transfer load more gradually into the reinforcement than the
embedment length of the bars alone.
Figure 7.2. Free Body Diagram of Longitudinal Shear

For equilibrium:
Vu = Qu C 'r 2
(7.1)
In equation 7.1, Cr2 can be written as:
C 'r 2 = 0.85* f ' c * Ac * Ar * Fyr
(7.2)
Ac = area of concrete in compression within the region

containing the shear connectors
Ar = area of longitudinal reinforcing within the area Ac
Fyr = specified minimum yield strength of the reinforcing
steel.
The total ultimate shear force acting on the two longitudinal planes
shown in Figure 7.1(a) can be expressed as:
where
Vu = Qu 0.85 * c * f ' c * Ac * Ar * Fyr
(7.3)
In Clause 17.9.9, corresponding resistance for normal-weight

concrete is the less of the following:
Vr = 0.8 * * Ar * Fyr + 2.76 * c * Acv
(7.4)
Vr = 0.5 * c * f ' c * Acv

(7.5)
where Acv = total area of the two longitudinal shear planes extending
from the point of maximum moment to an adjacent location
of zero moment
Ar = area of transverse reinforcement crossing shear planes
If the potential planes of longitudinal shear are like those shown in
Figure 7.1(b) or (c), adjustments should be made. Additional shear
resistance is provided by the steel if a metal deck is present.
However, research work is not available to quantify this contribution.
It is better to neglect this contribution to have conservative design.
Ultimate strength analysis can be applied to the cross-section if the

above described conditions are met. Assumed that the neutral axis
will fall within the steel beam, the ultimate capacity can be calculated
by considering the reinforcing bars, and a portion of the steel beam
acting in tension, while the remainder of the steel beam acting in
compression. In most situations, a larger portion of the beam crosssection will be in compression than that in a non-composite steel
beam. Therefore, the tendency of both local and lateral buckling is
increased, while the rotation capacity is likely to be reduced.
To calculate the number of shear connectors required between
maximum negative moment and an adjacent zero moment location
with consideration of the ultimate strength, a conservative approach
which is similar to that in positive moment region is take into account.
The number of connectors must be obtained by considering that
there must be sufficient shear connectors to produce yielding in the
longitudinal slab reinforcement. In Clause 17.9.7, the horizontal
shear, Vh is calculated as:
Vh = * Ar * Fyr
(8.1)
where Ar = area of longitudinal reinforcement contained within the
effective slab width
Fyr = minimum specified yield strength of the longitudinal
reinforcing steel
page 10 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
Using equation 8.1, the number of shear connectors required in a

negative moment region can be calculated.
9.0 Formed Metal Deck
Throughout the discussion, it is assumed that the underside of the
concrete has been formed with temporary plywood forms.
Permanent sheet steel forms with a modest corrugation (less than
0.25 times the slab thickness) to provide form strength are also used.
In either case, the overall thickness of the slab is used in the
capacity calculations. However, one should recognize that it is
common to use steel deck containing relatively large corrugations as
the formwork for the concrete. This is usually called hollow
composite construction.
The zinc-coated sheet-steel steel deck may be placed either parallel
to the steel supporting member or transversely to it. If it is placed
transversely, the steel deck itself will act compositely with the slab to
transfer slab loads to the beams. The sidewalls and the bottom of
the trough of the steel deck have kind of embossment to interlock
with concrete. This provides for composite action between the steel
deck sheet and the concrete slab as it spans from beam to beam.
Once the steel deck has been placed on the supporting beams,
studs are attached by welding through the sheet steel. Slab
reinforcement is then placed and concrete is poured. In Clause 17.2,
minimum thickness of concrete above the top of the steel deck of
65mm is required. The shape of the profile of the steel deck and the
conditions under which the stud welding can be done are subject to
limitations stated in the Standard also.
For vertical shear strength calculation, it is assumed that the entire
shear is carried by the web of the steel section. For flexural strength
calculation, procedures are same as those for calculating vertical
shear, except the effective slab thickness is to be taken as the
thickness of the concrete between the top of the steel deck and the
top of the slab. One should recognize that there is now a portion of
the cross-section, i.e. the part between the top of the steel section
and the top of the profile of the steel deck, is assumed to be totally
ineffective.
10.0 Other Composite Floor Members

As the span length in multi-storey commercial buildings is increased,
the depth of the member, the depth of the floor-ceiling sandwich and
the necessitate passing the mechanical ducts through the girder
web, and fabrication costs are increased also. Although composite
beams and composite girders are the most frequently used steel
floor framing system, structural-mechanical integration system is
required. Two other types composite floor members are developed
successfully: the composite truss, and the stub-girder system.
A truss provides holes through which mechanical and other underfloor utilities services can pass easily due to its configuration.
Trusses are proved to be cost-effective for spans from about 10m to
23m; they are always used to span from the central core of a building
to the perimeter columns.
In Warren or modified Warren
configuration, truss chords will consist of structural T sections or
hollow structural sections, with angle or hollow structural section web
members.
When the truss carries the loads under construction, it is designed
that the truss acts non-compositely, as is done for unshored girders.
Once composite action has been achieved, i.e. fc = 0.75 * f ' c , the
moment resistance of the composite truss is determined in a similar
way as for a girder. Nevertheless, a conservative simplification is
used: the cross-section of steel comprising the top chord is to be
neglected in the calculations as stated in Clause 17.9.2. Vertical
shear must be taken entirely by the steel truss, specifically by the
web members.
A stub girder is a form of truss, especially a Vierendeel truss where
the top chord is the deck slab and the bottom chord is a rolled steel
section. Both the top and bottom chords are interconnected using
short lengths, usually from about 310mm to 460mm deep section.
Opening of passage of mechanical services are provided by the
gaps between these short lengths of beam. These chords are
subject to axial loads, bending moments, and shears due to the
Vierendeel action of the girder.
For review of key concept, refer to Appendix B.
page 11 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
Appendix A
Note: Examples as presented may be according CSA S16.1 (7th
edition Handbook of Steel Construction)
Example 1: Neutral Axis in Concrete Slab
Determine the flexural capacity, shear capacity, and the horizontal
shear to be transferred of the cross-section (W360x33) shown below.
The effective slab width has been established as 2250 mm, the 28day strength of the concrete is 22 MPa and the steel is G40.21
350W.
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
depth (d) = 349 mm

web thickness (t_w) = 5.8 mm
flange thickness (t_f) = 8.5 mm
flange width (b_f) = 127 mm
Calculate unknown a by equation 4.1.2.
Assess moment arm e
Calculate flexural capacity by equation 4.1.3.
Obtain shear capacity by equation 4.1.
Calculate shear force to be transferred by equation 4.1.4.
Example 2: Neutral Axis in the Steel Section

Determine the flexural capacity, shear capacity, and the horizontal
shear to be transferred of the cross-section (W610x174) shown
below. The effective slab width has been established as 1830 mm,
the 28-day strength of the concrete is 20 MPa, and the steel is
G40.21 350W.
Figure A1. Composite Cross-Section for Example 1.

Steps to solve:
1) Identify input parameters:
a) effective width (b) = 2250 mm
b) thickness of slab (t) = 125 mm
c) compressive strength of concrete (fc) = 22 MPa
d) yield strength of steel (Fy) = 350 MPa
e) resistance factor of concrete (c)= 0.6
f) performance factor () = 0.9
g) parameters of steel section:
area (As) = 4170 mm2
Figure A2. Composite Cross-Section for Example 2.

Steps to solve: (similar to Example 1)
11/11/2007
page 12 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
1) Identify input parameters:

a) b = 1830 mm
b) t = 150 mm
c) fc = 20 MPa
d) Fy = 350 MPa
e) c = 0.6
f) = 0.9
As = 22200 mm2
d = 616 mm
t_w = 14 mm
t_f = 21.6 mm
b_f = 325 mm
2) Calculate unknown a by equation 4.1.2 to locate the neutral axis
(NA). Calculation will show that the NA falls into the steel section.
This means the concrete slab is entirely in compression
3) Calculate Cr by equation 4.1.1 with a = t.
4) Calculate Cr by equation 4.2.2 or 4.2.3.
5) In order to calculate e and e, NA must be found. Equate Cr with
equation 4.1.4 to find the required As and locate the NA. If it falls
in flange, name it as df, otherwise, name it as dw.
6) Obtain the centroid of the area below the NA by summing area
moments about the bottom of the section.
7) Calculate moment arm e for Cr and moment arm e for Cr.
8) Assess flexural capacity by equation 4.2.5.
9) Calculate shear capacity by equation 4.1.
10) Obtain the shear force to be transferred by equation 4.2.6.
Example 3: Number of Shear Connectors

Determine the capacity of a 19mm diameter studs x 75 mm long.
Also, determine the total capacity of the shear connectors if 20 of
them are used. Given that the 28-day strength of the concrete is 25
MPa, ultimate tensile strength of connector is 415 MPa, and modulus
of elasticity is 24600 MPa.
Steps to slove:
1) Identify all parameters:
a) ultimate tensile strength of connector (Fu) = 415 MPa
b) modulus of elasticity (Ec) = 24600 MPa
c) diameter of shear studs (d_sc) = 19 mm
d) resistance factor of shear connector (sc) = 0.8
e) fc = 25 MPa
2) Obtain the shear resistance of the shear connector by equation
5.1.1 or 5.1.2, whichever is less.
3) Determine the total capacity of shear connectors by multiplying
the number of shear connectors with shear resistance of one
shear connector obtained in step 2).
Example 4: Design of Composite member with full shear

transferred
Determine a suitable W-shape for the cross section as shown in the
figure below, such that the moment capacity and shear capacity are
able to resist the applied load stated as follows. (Assume it is a
simply-supported beam) In addition, determine the required number
of shear connectors (assume 19 mm shear studs with 75 mm long is
used) and their total resistance. The 28-day strength of concrete is
20 MPa, modulus of elasticity is 24600 MPa, and the steel is G40.21
350W.
11/11/2007
page 13 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
Figure A3. Composite Cross

Section for Example 4.
Beams are 9000 mm long
continuous beam with 2750
mm center to center.
Loading:
Dead load:
125 mm concrete slab, forms
tile florring
hung ceiling, lights, etc
movable steel partitions
Live load:
From National Building Code
3.065 kPa
0.05 kPa
0.095 kPa
0.19 kPa
2.4 kPa
Steps to solve:
1) Select a steel section. E.g. W360x33
2) Obtain and identify necessary parameters:
a) t = 125 mm
b) fc = 20 MPa
c) Fy = 350 MPa
d) c= 0.6
e) = 0.9
f) Fu = 415 MPa
g) Ec = 24600 MPa
h) d_sc = 19 mm
i) sc = 0.8
j) dead load factor = 1.25
k) live load factor = 1.5
l) parameters of steel section:
As = 4170 mm2
d = 349 mm
t_w = 5.8 mm
t_f = 8.5 mm
b_f = 127 mm
weight of beam (m) = 33 kg
3) Calculate the effective width of concrete by applying Clause
17.4.1, and 17.4.2 (i.e. Discussion in section 3.0)
4) Obtain unknown a to check the NA location.
i) If NA locates in concrete slab, find moment arm ec, and obtain
flexural capacity by equation 4.1.3.
ii) If NA locates in steel section, obtain Cr and Cr as indicated the
method in step 3) and 4) in example 2. In order to calculate es
and es, NA must be found. Equate Cr with equation 4.1.4 to
find the required As and locate the NA. If it falls in flange, name
it as df, otherwise, name it as dw. Then obtain the centroid of
the area below the NA by summing area moments about the
bottom of the section. Calculate moment arm es for Cr and
moment arm es for Cr, and finally assess flexural capacity by
equation 4.2.5.
5) Calculate shear capacity by equation 4.1.
6) Determine the tributary width of beam.
7) Calculate the applied moment and applied shear.
8) Compare the applied moment with the moment resistance and
applied shear with shear resistance and check the validity.
9) Obtain the shear force to be transferred by equation 4.2.6.
10) Obtain the shear resistance of the shear connector by equation
5.1.1 or 5.1.2, whichever is less.
11) Determine the required number of connectors and the total
resistance.
11/11/2007
page 14 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
Example 5: Design of Cover Plate

A composite beam consists of a concrete slab (thickness 150 mm
and effective width 2000 mm) and a W310x60 (see the following
figure). The concrete has a 28-day compressive strength of 20 MPa.
The material used in the W-shape is of G40.21 350W steel.
Suppose you want the neutral axis of the cross-section to be at the
top of the W section when the full moment resistance of the
composite section is developed. Adding another plate (cover plate)
of the same width to the bottom flange can do this. Determine the
thickness of the cover plate.
t_f = 13.1 mm
b_f = 203 mm
2) Since we would like to move down the NA to the steel section.
Therefore, Vh is obtained from equation 4.2.6.
3) Equate tensile force to Vh and find the As required.
4) Obtain the depth of cover plate by minus As from As required and
then divide the result by the width of the plate (which is same as
the flange width in this example)
Example 6: Design of Composite member with partial shear

transferred
Figure A4. Cross Section of Composite Beam with Cover Plate

for Example 5
Steps to solve:
1) Identify parameters:
a) b = 2000 mm
b) t = 150 mm
c) fc = 20 MPa
d) Fy = 350 MPa
e) c = 0.6
f) = 0.9
As = 7590 mm2
d = 303 mm
t_w = 7.5 mm
Repeat Example 4 except partial shear of 70% is transferred, 28-day

strength concrete is 25 MPa, and diameter of shear connector is 20
mm.
Steps to solve:
1) Choose a steel section. E.g. W360x33
2) Obtain and identify necessary parameters
3) Calculate the effective width of concrete by applying Clause
17.4.1, and 17.4.2 (i.e. Discussion in section 3.0)
4) Obtain unknown a to check the NA location by equation 5.2.4.
5) Obtain Cr and Cr as indicated the method in step 3) and 4) in
example 2. In order to calculate es and es, NA must be found.
Equate Cr with equation 4.1.4 to find the required As and locate
the NA. If it falls in flange, name it as df, otherwise, name it as
dw. Then obtain the centroid of the area below the NA by
summing area moments about the bottom of the section.
Calculate moment arm es for Cr and moment arm es for Cr, and
finally assess flexural capacity by equation 4.2.5.
6) Followed step 5) to 11) in example 4.
11/11/2007
page 15 of 16
Composite Design
S. F. Stiemer
Example 7. Deflection
Determine the deflection of the composite beam designed in

Example 4.
Steps to solve:
1) Determine deflection for non-composite action: steel beam acts
alone to carry the slab load, formwork plus its own dead load.
2) Determine deflection for composite beam with short term load:
half the specified live load acts on a long-term basis and half on
a short-term basis. Effective moment of inertia is used and is
calculated by equation 6.1.
3) Determine deflection for composite beam with long term load: half
of the specified live load plus weight of tile, hung ceiling, lights,
partitions, etc. Effective moment of inertia is used.
4) Determine deflection from shrinkage of the concrete by equation
6.6. Transformed moment of inertia is used and is determined
by taking area moment about the base of the steel beam.
Appendix B
Review of key concepts:
The modular ratio defines the relationship between

modulus of elasticity of steel and concrete.
The location of the neutral axis in a composite deck is
important during the capacity analysis because concrete is
not able to carry tension.
Partial shear connection is possible when design is
controlled by deflections.
In order to avoid cracks in the concrete slab of a composite
floor in the region of negative moment add steel
reinforcement in the concrete.
The shear resistance of a steel stud can be computed by
q r = 0.5 sc Asc
f 'c E 'c .
Most composite floors are presently constructed using

concrete poured on a formed steel metal deck.
In a composite design the concrete deck can carry
compression.
The effective slab thickness is to be taken as the thickness
of the concrete between the top of the steel deck and the
top of the concrete slab.
Appropriate values for the modular ratio in composite
design are 40 to 60.
Although elastic design rules underestimate the effective
slab width for an interior beam by a large amount, the effect
on the moment capacity is relatively small.
No composite system connections are truly simple, even
though the member may be analyzed on this basis.
Shear connectors must transfer the total force at the
interface of the concrete slab and the steel section.
In all cases, if shear transfer less than 100%, the location of
the neutral axis must lie within the steel section, and not in
the slab.
For partial shear, if flexural strength controls the design, the
number of shear connectors must be at least 40% of the full
composite action.
For partial shear, if deflection controls the design, the
number of shear connectors can be as low as 25% of the
full composite action.
Shear connectors must transfer the total force at the
interface of the concrete slab and the steel section.
A cover plate can be attached on the bottom flange of the
steel beam to bring down the neutral axis below the level of
the slab.
Credits
The text above has been based on a term project done by Ms. Sai-shun To
for the CIVL598 course.
11/11/2007
page 16 of 16

Composite Deck Design

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