Beam-to-column end-plate joints can be classified as rigid (fully restrained), semi-rigid (partiallyrestrained) or pinned, depending on their type, configuration and the connector arrangement. Fullyrestrained joints are needed for rigid frames in which there is assumed that the frame joints havesufficient rigidity to maintain – under the service state – the angles between the intersecting mem-bers, ensuring the full moment transfer. In contrast in semi-continuous frames, partially restrainedjoints are characterized by relative rotations occurring between the intersecting members so thatthe bending moment can only be transferred partially. In recent years, the idea of using partiallyrestrained, unstiffened joints in building structures has gained momentum since this idea appearsto be more practical and economical. Semi-continuous frames can resist actions by the bendingmoment transfer in partially restrained joints, allowing in the same time for a certain degree ofrotation that enhances the overall ductile performance of these structures. One of the effective waysthat affects ductility of end-plate beam-to-column joints is to use thinner end-plates than those usednowadays in practical applications. In the current study, a certain class of steel-concrete compositejoints is examined in which the thickness of end-plates is to be equivalent to approximately 40-60% of the bolt diameter used in all the composite joints investigated in the considered joint class. Thispaper is an extension of the authors’ earlier investigation on numerical modelling of the behaviourof steel frame joints. The aim of current investigations is to develop as simple as possible andyet reliable three-dimensional (3D) FE model of the composite joint behaviour that is capable ofcapturing the important factors controlling the performance of steel-concrete end-plate joints inwhich the end-plate thickness is chosen to be lesser than that used nowadays in conventional jointdetailing. A 3D FE model constructed for composite joints of the considered joint class is reportedin this paper and numerical simulations using the ABAQUS computer code are validated againstexperimental investigations conducted at the Warsaw University of Technology. Comparison betwe-en the nonlinear FE analysis and full scale experimental results of the considered class of compositejoints is presented which conclusively allows for the accuracy assessment of the modelling tech-nique developed. Comparison between the FE results and test data shows a reasonable agreementbetween the numerical FE model developed and physical model of experimentally examined jointspecimens. Finally, practical conclusions for engineering applications are drawn.

Shear connectors are designed in steel-concrete composite construction to transmit the longitudinal shear, to prevent separation of steel and concrete slabs, and also to increase the structural efficiency of the whole system. In this study, the performances of different types of shear connectors in steel-concrete composite specimens are evaluated by conducting push-out tests under monotonic loading conditions. An ISMB 200 @ 25.4 kg/m universal steel beam measuring 400 mm and a reinforced cement concrete slab measuring 300 mm with a breadth of 200 mm and a thickness of 200 mm reinforced with 8 mm diameter steel rods are used for the experimental study. The results reveal that the load-slip relationships for various types of shear connectors and failure mechanisms are obtained to identify those shear connectors which are more relevant to the steel – concrete composite members.

The concrete deck at the negative bending moment region of a continuous steel-concrete composite girder bridge is the weakest part of the structure. Introducing ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) to the hogging region may overcome the shortage and break through the bottleneck. This paper explores the cracking performance of steel-concrete composite girders with concrete slabs topped by a thin layer of UHPC subjected to a negative bending moment.Areal continuous composite girder bridge is briefly introduced as the engineering background, and the cracking characteristic of the concrete deck over the middle piers of the bridge is numerically modeled. Approaches to strengthen the cracking performance of the concrete deck at the hogging region through topping UHPC overlays are proposed. The effectiveness of the approaches is examined by conducting a series of numerical and experimental tests. Numerical results indicate that the normal concrete (NC) deck near the middle forums of the bridge would crack due to the large tensile stress from negative bending moments. Replacing the top concrete with an identical-thick UHPC overlay can increase the cracking resistance of the deck under the moment. As the thickness of the UHPC overlay increased from 6.0 cm to 12.0 cm, the maximum shear stress at the UHPC overlay-to-NC substrate interface under different load combinations was decreased by 56.3%~65.3%. Experimental results show that the first-cracking load of the composite beam usingan NC-UHPC overlaid slab was 2.1 times that using an NC slab. The application of a UHPC overlaid
deck can significantly improve the crack performance of the steel-concrete composite girder bridge.

The article draws attention to certain aspects of calculating the width of cracks and stresses in composite elements under bending, in which the slab is located in the tension zone. If semi-rigid joints are used in the element, in which the beam is attached to the column by bolts, two types of areas should be distinct in which the reinforcement stresses will be calculated in a different way. The method of calculating stresses in reinforcement will depend on the type of a used joint or on the distance of the considered cross-section from the semi-rigid joint. In order to distinguish the method of calculating stresses in the paper, two areas were introduced: specifically area B and area D. Area B will be the area where the principle of flat sections can be applied, and stresses in the reinforcement are determined using the classical theory by adding the component responsible for the tension stiffening phenomenon. Area D is the area in the vicinity of the semi-rigid joint, where the principle of flat sections cannot be applied. To calculate stresses, consider the balance of joints using the available models of the semi-rigid joint, in particular the spring model. The paper presents the formulas for calculating stresses in the D area for two types semi-rigid joints: joint with a flush end-plate with 2 rows of bolts are used and joint with an extended end-plate with 3 rows of bolts are used.

Continuous steel-concrete composite girder can fully utilize material strength and possess large spanning ability for bridge constructions. However, the weak cracking resistance at the negative bending moment region of the girder seriously harms its durability and serviceability. This paper investigates practical techniques to improve the cracking performance of continuous steel-concrete composite girders subjected to hogging moment.Areal continuous girderwas selected as the background bridge and introduced for numerical analysis. Modeling results show that under the serviceability limit state, the principle stress of concrete slabs near the middle piers of the bridgewas far beyond the allowable material strength, producing a maximum tensile stress of 10.0 MPa. Approaches for strengthening concrete decks at the negative moment region were developed and the effectiveness of each approach was assessed by examing the tensile stress in the slabs. Results indicate that the temporary counterweight approach decreased the maximum tensile stress in concrete slabs by 22%. Due to concrete shrinkage and creep, more than 65% of the prestressed compressive stresses in concrete slabs were finally dispersed to the steel beams. A thin ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) overlay at the hogging moment region effectively increased the cracking resistance of the slabs, and practical engineering results convicted the applicability of the UHPC technique.