Analysis of composite beams with widely spaced shear connectors

BS 5400: Part 5 requires consideration to be given to the non-uniform flow of longitudinal shear and to the slippage between the slab and steel member of composite beams, where the longitudinal spacing of shear connectors exceeds 600mm. Analysis of such effects is complex and involves finite-element analysis with contact logic. This paper presents a simple spreadsheet based alternative solution. The method is suitable for serviceability limit state (SLS) checks and assumes that longitudinal shear is transferred between the steel member and slab only at shear connector locations. This method can be used for the assessment of existing
bridges with widely spaced shear connectors. It can also be used for designing the strengthening measures for bridges built before composite construction was widely recognised.

M. P. Byfield BEng, PhD, CEng, MICE
Engineering Systems Department, Cranfield University, RMCS Shrivenham, Swindon, SN6 8LA, UK