Analysis of rigid and semi-rigid steel-concrete composite joints under monotonic loading - Part II: Parametric study and comparison with the Eurocode 4 proposal

This paper analyses the response of rigid and semi-rigid steel-concrete composite joints under monotonic loading. The influence of some important parameters, such as the presence of column web stiffening and the mechanical properties of component materials, is investigated by using a three-dimensional finite element modelling based on the Abaqus code. Numerical and experimental responses of different types of composite joints are also compared with the analytical results obtained using the component approach proposed by Eurocode 4. The results obtained with this approach generally fit well with the numerical and experimental values in terms of strength. Conversely, some significant limits arise when evaluating initial stiffness and non-linear behaviour of the composite joint.