Steel‐fibre reinforced concrete in composite structures as a mean to increase resistance and ductility

Composite construction in steel and concrete represents a very effi cient structural solution because the materials are used according to their best properties. Concrete has good compressive strength and is easy to form into any shape, making it particularly suitable for fl at structures such as slabs. Structural steel has both high compressive and tensile strength together with high ductility. For conventional composite sections with a double symmetrical steel section and a concrete fl ange with a large eff ective width arranged above the steel top fl ange, usually fully plastic resistance is reached when the cross-section is classifi ed into cross-section Classes 1 or 2. This classifi cation avoids too slender cross-sections and prevents the risk of local buckling so that the cross-sections meet the requirements for high rotational capacity.