Mechanical properties of composite beams subjected to dead load

To overcome some problems in the common steel-concrete beam, a new type of composite beam - steel-encased composite beam is presented. To study its mechanical properties, four size simple supported beams have been tested. By analyzing load-deflection curves, load-strain curves, and strain distribution along beam height, it shows that this kind of beam has good work ability and promising applications. Compared with common reinforced concrete beams, this type of composite has high capacity and good ductility to serve as long span structure. Nonlinear finite element method is adopted to analyze this type of composite beam by using a double-beam model. The calculated results are in good agreement with the test ones.