Composite & Steel Construction compendium

A new series from the Steel Construction Institute (SCI) begins with a look at the history of composite construction and the development of Eurocode 4.

Shear connection in steel-concrete composite beams has been the subject of some interest over recent years, with several international research groups reconsidering both the resistance and ductility of shear studs.

This article looks at the concrete slab, considering the beam effective flange and how disruption to the concrete can be accommodated.

This article explains the formation of the concrete flange of a composite beam using pre-cast units, highlighting the associated benefits.

This final article in the composite part of this construction compendium looks at three aspects of construction; the provision of lateral restraint to the beams, whether the steelwork is propped and how the concrete is levelled.

The first in a ‘steel construction’ sub-series, this article discusses the often competing demands on the structural designer to balance frame cost against architectural demands and the cost of other building components, such as curtain walling.

This article provides some background and then focuses on the practicalities of steel frame design to Eurocode 3.

This article discusses connection behaviour, design methodology and the classifications given in BS EN 1993-1-8. Connection design for structural integrity and the use of preloaded assemblies are introduced. Challenges connected with multi-member or unorthodox connections are also discussed.

This article focuses on light steel framing, which is becoming increasingly popular in a wide range of applications; used not only as secondary steelwork, but also as primary load-bearing elements.

Modern building services cost up to three times as much as the structural steelwork in a typical commercial building. Steel frame design needs to be considered in the context of the overall building cost, where early design decisions concerning structural layouts have a significant impact on the building services.

The provision of beams with web openings has become a common method of incorporating services within the structural depth of a floor. Although specialist software is available to design such beams, guidance regarding sizing, spacing and best practice is useful for engineers performing scheme design.

Portal frame buildings despite being very common, are a structural form with features that present particular challenges; this has led to specialisation by some designers and manufacturers. The purpose of this final article in the series is to identify and discuss these features, which are not usually found in buildings of more than one storey.