Long-term deflection prediction in steel-concrete composite beams

This paper aims to improve the current state-of-the-art in long-term deflection prediction in steel-concrete composite beams. The efficiency of a time-dependent finite element model based on linear creep theory is verified with available experimental data. A parametric numerical study is then carried out, which focuses on the effects of concrete creep and/or shrinkage, ultimate shrinkage strain and reinforcing bars in the slab. The study shows that the long-term deformations in composite beams are dominated by concrete shrinkage and that a higher area of reinforcing bars leads to lower long-term deformations and steel stresses. The AISC model appears to overestimate the shrinkage-induced deflection. A modified ACI equation is proposed to quantify time-dependent deflections in composite beams. In particular, a modified reduction factor reflecting the influence of reinforcing bars and a coefficient reflecting the influence of ultimate shrinkage are introduced in the proposed equation. The long-term deflections predicted by this equation and the results of extensive numerical analyses are found to be in good agreement.