CoSFB—Composite Slim-Floor Beam: Experimental Test Campaign and Evaluation

The composite slim-floor beam (CoSFB) solution is based on the development of an innovative composite connection. This connection is achieved by arranging reinforcement bars through the web of the slim-floor beam, hardly adding to complexity in fabrication or costs. By this technology, an economic and efficient method to activate the full effective width of the concrete chord (EN1994-1-2) for slim-floor beams has been innovated. In order to structurally assess the system, push-out tests, shear beam and long beam tests with focus on structural, vibration and deformation behavior of the CoSFB have been performed. Their evaluations show an increase of the load bearing capacity by 100% and of the stiffness by 150%, compared to non-composite slim-floor beams. The shear connection provided sufficient resistance with a ductile load-deformation behavior. This paper presents the experimental results, their evaluation, and their comparison to existing design approaches of reinforcement bars as shear connectors.