Experimental investigations on composite slabs to evaluate longitudinal shear strength

Cold-formed steel profile sheets acting as decks have been popularly used in composite slab systems in steel structural works, since it acts as a working platform as well as formwork for concreting during construction stage and also as tension reinforcement for the concrete slab during service. In developing countries like India, this system of flooring is being increasingly used due to the innate advantage of these systems. Three modes of failure have been identified in composite slab such as flexural, vertical shear and longitudinal shear failure. Longitudinal shear failure is the one which is difficult to predict theoretically and therefore experimental methods suggested by Eurocode 4 (EC 4) of four point bending test is in practice throughout world. This paper presents such an experimental investigation on embossed profile sheet acting as a composite deck where in the longitudinal shear bond characteristics values are evaluated. Two stages, brittle and ductile phases were observed during the tests. The cyclic load appears to less effect on the ultimate shear strength of the composite slab.