Cyclic loadings on steel and lightweight concrete composite beams

Abstract

This communication describes the experimental cyclic tests performed on steel and high strength lightweight concrete composite beams, at Universidade do Minho, Portugal. The experimental study involves tests on simply supported beams, all with the same geometrical disposition, supports and materials. Headed studs are used to provide the connection between the steel profile and the lightweight concrete slab. The parameters in study are the stud disposition and the number and range of the load cycles applied. Two types of stud disposition are chosen: one that guarantees full connection and other that guarantees partial connection. The beams are tested with a six-point loading, uniformly spaced along the beam, and the cycles are controlled by load. The main objectives are: to describe the composite beams behaviour, focused on the connection between steel and lightweight concrete; to analyse the beams load capacity and to analyse the influence of the number and range of the load cycles.