Finite element modelling of steel-concrete composite beam to CFST column joints

A detailed three–dimensional non–linear continuum–based finite element model of the connection region including the composite beam, flush end–plate, blind bolts and the concrete–filled steel tube is developed using ABAQUS finite element (FE) software in this paper. Non-linear material properties and non-linear geometric effects are considered in the simulation of a connection in hogging bending. This research shows that the sophisticated FE model developed can capture the pertinent physical, geometrical and contact non–linearities, and its accuracy is verified against experimental data reported elsewhere in the literature. The calibrated FE model can be employed for a parametric study in which the effects of the slab reinforcement ratio, the thickness of the slab, the degree of the shear connection, the diameter of the blind bolts as well as the pretension force in them and their yield stress, the depth of the beam, and the thickness of the flush end-plate can be investigated.