Composite Structures
Composite structures are structures in which the elements of the structure such as beams, columns and slabs are constructed with the combination of two or more materials, each of which retains its own distinctive properties.
Composite structures are structures in which the elements of the structure such as beams, columns and slabs are constructed with the combination of two or more materials, each of which retains its own distinctive properties. The resulting materials have characteristics that are not characteristic of the components in isolation.
The most frequently used combination of construction materials is steel and concrete, with applications in multi-storey commercial buildings and factories, which can be used in mixed structural systems, for example, concrete cores encircled by steel tubes, as well as in composite structures where members consisting of steel and concrete act together compositely. These different materials are completely compatible and complementary to each other; they have almost the same thermal expansion. They have an ideal combination of strengths with the concrete efficient in compression and the steel in tension.
In multi-storey buildings, structural steelwork is typically used together with concrete; for example, steel beams with concrete floor slabs. It is a fact, however, that engineers are increasingly designing composite and mixed building systems of structural steel and reinforced concrete to produce more efficient structures. when compared to designs using either material alone.
The different members of composite constructions are
1) Composite columns
2) Composite girder (beams) and composite slabs.
When the column spacing is less, the beams spans less than 9 mts. and with low loading, the composite construction may be expensive. As the span increases to 12, 15 or even 20 m the composite floor is more competitive. Large column-free spaces in buildings to facilitate open planning or greater flexibility in office layout. A further important consideration is that the use of rolled steel sections, profiled metal decking and/or prefabricated composite members speed up execution.
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