Composite action in Shallow Steel-beam-Concrete Composite decks

The behavior of Shallow Steel-beam-Concrete Composite (SSCC) decks, made of steel beam connected to concrete, is the object of this study. Emphasis is placed on the effect that different Steel-beam-Concrete (SC) bonding measures and techniques have on the composite action. An extensive review of several experimental tests showed that the SC bonding force consists of two components: one deriving from the direct steel-concrete adhesion in the compression zone and one dependent on the adopted SC bonding technique. The effectiveness of such SC bonding techniques, which varies from negligible to full composite action (FCA), has been assessed by comparing the experimental tests with numerical simulations having FCA. The closer the test result to the FCA result, the more effective the adopted SC bonding technique. Analytical equations for the bending capacity at yield and ultimate of SSCC decks with FCA have been developed, meant to be adopted in design.