| Nucor Research and Development has funded several research projects at South Dakota State University (SDSU) in order to evaluate the structural behavior of composite steel/concrete load distribution members utilizing cold-formed steel track sections as tension reinforcement. The objective of this particular study was to determine the effects of connector arrangement and gauge thickness on the strength and serviceability characteristics of a simply supported composite beam.To satisfy the objectives of the research project, twenty-seven specimens were constructed, instrumented, and tested in the J. Lohr Structures Laboratory on the SDSU campus. The specimens were loaded in flexure until failure was observed. During testing, the data collected included: strain readings, mid-span deflection values, and relative slip values at the ends of the specimen.The scope of this project included a literature review, preliminary analysis, instrumentation plan, construction of the specimens, testing of the specimens, and an evaluation of the metal hardware on strength and serviceability characteristics.The analytical work included an evaluation of the interface shear stresses, a moment curvature analysis for each specimen, and the development of equations to accurately calculate the effective moment of inertia accounting for partial composite behavior. |
