Numerical analysis of composite frames with partial shear–stud interaction by one element per member

A numerical plastic-layer procedure based on a simplified finite element method is proposed for the analysis of composite flooring frames in a serviceability deflection limit state which allows for the spread of concrete cracks along the length of a beam. It allows for a very important effect of partial interaction between the steel beam and the concrete slab. In the proposed method, discrete shear connectors are assumed to be continuous along the beam–slab interface. Thus, the entire composite beam is modelled by a single element with a hybrid mixed-shape function for the transverse deformation which is superior to the currently used polynomial displacement functions. The application of the proposed method is demonstrated through a number of worked examples. When using the proposed numerical integration technique and associated mixed-formed element for modelling of material cracking and yielding, a single element per member is already adequate for large deflection analysis of composite frames with arbitrarily distributed concrete cracks.