Improving the strength of fully composite steel-concrete-steel beam elements by increased surface roughness—an experimental study

Steel-concrete-steel double-skin composite construction consists of two relatively thin steel plates forming the outer skins and a depth of concrete forming the core sandwiched between the plates. Structural elements with double-skin construction have applications in submerged tunnels, gravity seawalls, shear walls for tall buildings and blastwalls for containing explosions. It is essential to achieve full composite interaction between the outer skin plates and the concrete core for efficient use of such construction. In the paper the preliminary test results using eight different surface preparations are presented. The preliminary test led to the development of fully composite beam elements utilising Durbar, Expamet and Wavy wire interfaces. Typical results from further test are also presented confirming the full composite behaviour of steel-concrete-steel beam elements.