Analyses and tests to determine the effective widths of composite beams in unbraced multistorey frames

This paper concerns the analysis and testing of 10 cantilever composite beams incorporating ribbed metal deck, representing the positive moment beam–column connections in an unbraced steel frame with composite floor beams. The positive moment beam–column connections arise from lateral forces on the unbraced frame. The effective widths of the slabs for strength and stiffness calculations have been determined from analysis. Agreement between the calculated strain distributions across the concrete slab width and the corresponding measured strain distributions was attained. Use of the calculated effective widths of the slab for strength together with a concrete strength of gave good agreement with the measured positive ultimate moment capacities of the cantilever composite beams subjected to upward end test loads.