Tests of composite beams with web holes

Abstract

Tests of composite beams comprising a concrete slab supported on a steel deck and a steel wide-flange shape containing large web openings are described. Special attention is directed to the amount of shear connection between slab and steel section in the region of a web hole, and on the effect of construction loads acting on the steel section prior to composite action being effective.It is shown that limited shear connection at the hole will significantly affect the strength when loading produces a high shear-to-moment ratio, and a theory is presented which conservatively takes this into account. The effect of construction loads on unshored construction is shown to be small when these do not exceed 60% of the non-composite beam resistance at the hole.