Performance of Composite Slabs with Profiled Sheeting Using High-Strength Steel

Composite slabs using cold-formed profiled steel sheeting have proved popular in multi-storey steel-framed buildings. This paper presents a comprehensive test programme that considers the performance of a modern trapezoidal profiled sheeting using Australasian 550 N/mm² high strength steel, compared to that exhibited by the same profile using European 350 N/mm² steel. Although the ductility of the Australasian steel is low, from composite slab tests it was found that the longitudinal shear behaviour could be considered ductile according to the Eurocode 4 requirements. As a consequence of this, the partial connection method was permitted. However, from the test results presented in this paper, it is shown that the rules given in Eurocode 4, Annex B.3.1 for a reduced investigation lead to unconservative results and should be revised. To remedy this situation, an amendment is proposed.