On shear lag effects in orthotropic composite beams

Based upon the linearised theories of the bending and stretching of thin plates, an analysis is presented for the interaction between non-prismatic beams and an orthotropic concrete plate. It is shown that an exponential representation for the steel beam profiles provides a suitable basis for studying interaction in continuous non-prismatic beams, and for deducing suitable effective widths of slab for design purposes. The influence of “elastic” shear connection modulus is studied, as well as the effect of the varying flexural rigidity of the steel beams. The dependence of interaction on shear connection modulus in continuous beams is demonstrated through deflexion and slip characteristics, and so also is the dependence of interaction on the severity of the variation of flexural rigidity. The solution can be specialised to the limiting case of prismatic steel beams and a concrete slab and also to the solutions of rectangular plates with certain edge conditions.