SHEAR AND NORMAL STRESSES INTERACTION IN COUPLED STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS. TECHNICAL NOTE

This note proposes a unified approach to evaluate the behavior of composite structural elements, considering the interaction between the shear and normal stresses caused by the connecting system. The model assumes linear behavior for the materials and connection and allows one to analyze different structural problems in the serviceability conditions. Numerical examples show that many classical coupled problems could be analyzed by a unified approach; in particular, the note considers coupled shear walls subject to horizontal loads, steel-concrete composite beams with stud connectors, and reinforced beams strengthened with external plates.