Feasibility of developing composite action between concrete and cold-formed steel beam

S. O. Bamaga, M. Md. Tahir, T. C. Tan, S. Mohammad, N. Yahya, A. L. Saleh, M. Mustaffar, M. H. Osman, A. B. A. Rahman

(Construction Research Centre (UTM-CRC), Faculty of Civil Engineering,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Malaysia)

Abstract:Cold-formed steel structures are steel structure products constructed from sheets or coils using cold rolling, press brake or bending brake method. These structures are extensively employed in building construction industry due to their light mass, ductility by economic cold forming operations, favorable strength-to-mass ratio and other factors. The utilization of cold formed steel sections with concrete as composite can hugely reduce the construction cost. However, the use of cold formed steel members in composite concrete beams has been very limited. A comprehensive review of developments in composite beam with cold formed steel sections was introduced. It was revealed that employing cold-formed steel channel section to replace reinforcement bars in conventional reinforced concrete beam results in a significant cost reduction without reducing strength capacity. The use of composite beam consisting of cold-formed steel open or close box and filled concrete could also reduce construction cost. Lighter composite girder for bridges with cold-formed steel of U section was introduced. Moreover, types of shear connectors to provide composite action between cold-formed steel beam and concrete slab were presented. However, further studies to investigate the effects of metal decking on the behavior of composite beam with cold-formed steel section and introduction of ductile shear connectors were recommended.

Key words:cold formed steel; beam; composite; shear connection; thin-wall; composite girder