Nonlinear flexural analysis of composite beam with Inverted-T steel girder and UHPC slab considering partial interaction

The composite beam with inverted-T steel girder and UHPC slab connected by studs arranged in the web of the girder was developed to further the economy in material and best exploit the properties of UHPC. However, the composite beam may experience premature failure due to the occurrence of slip at the shear interface. This so-called partial interaction needs to be addressed in the flexural design for field application of the developed composite beam. The present study proposes a nonlinear analysis method for the evaluation of the flexural behavior of the composite beam considering partial interaction. An analysis method using the Fourier series to approximate the internal forces in the beam considering slip is coupled with a sectional analysis method accounting for inelastic behavior of the steel girder and nonlinear behavior of UHPC. The model considering the slip effect induced by partial interaction is seen to realistically and accurately simulate the actual behavior of the composite beam.