The use of concrete-filled tubular composite members and composite beams has been implemented in many structural systems due to their robust structural performance, constructability, and inherent synergy when the steel and concrete components are properly designed and detailed together. While extensive research has been conducted on concrete-filled steel structural members, relatively little has been done regarding similar composite connections. Understanding how composite connections behave in structures and how they should be modeled during the design process is crucial to predict the actual structural behavior of these types of elements when subjected to different loading conditions. The goal of this research is to numerically evaluate CFTs or SRCs members and their connections subjected to axial, shear, and flexural load. Predicting composite connection behavior is exceptionally challenging due to the coupled behavior of the steel and concrete, the residual stresses in the steel, local buckling of the connection, and the sensitivity of the stress-strain response to the steel-concrete contact and confinement performance. To address these issues, a thorough literature search has been carried out and a state-of-the-art report on experimental and numerical models for composite connections is presented. The selected tests represent a range of geometries, materials, and governing failure modes. Initially, a generic connection modeling process was developed and calibrated against a classical test, then three more connections were modeled. To further the understanding of composite behavior, shear studs in steel-concrete composite beams were modeled next, taking as reference a recent experimental program that resulted in an unusual failure. Results indicate that the model can reproduce the most important behavioral aspects observed in the tests, tracking well the strength and stiffness of the samples up to ultimate. The load-deformation curves of the experimental specimens and the analytical models show very good agreement in their transitions and indicate that the behavior of the composite joints is controlled mainly by both the strength of the concrete and the confining effect of the steel tube in the joint. A data appendix containing 135 tests is described and the main characteristics of these tests are summarized in the text. / Doctor of Philosophy / Every day the population increase is more evident, and the main cities of the world are densifying. This implies the accelerated construction of all types of structures, especially tall residential buildings. For the design of these structures, architects design increasingly slender structures, which must be resilient under all types of forces. The foregoing is exerting pressure on structural engineers to design structures that have the capacity to be built in the shortest possible time without losing their functionality and safety. This is where steel and concrete composite construction plays an important role. The main advantage of composite construction is the synergy of both materials. Concrete is inexpensive and provides high stiffness, mass, and fire resistance. Structural steel has high strength, ductility, lightweight, and ease of construction. Composite construction has been used for a long time in tall buildings, and experimental and numerical research has been carried out, especially on the beam and column elements. However, comparatively little research has been done on composite connection behavior and design. This dissertation proposes a numerical evaluation of the composite connections in beams and columns under different types of loads in order to establish modeling parameters that facilitate the analysis and structural design of these elements. The important numerical models are validated with experimental investigations. The results show that the numerical models are capable of simulating the structural behavior of the tests, especially the damage mechanisms and the modeling of local behavior. This study contributes to the development of simulations of composite connections, determining modeling parameters, such as the contact resistance between steel and concrete and the distribution of shear studs in composite beams, among others.

Este trabalho aborda o estudo da aderência aço-concreto em pilares mistos preenchidos através de revisão bibliográfica e de investigação experimental. De modo esquemático, a aderência é dividida em três parcelas: adesão, aderência mecânica e atrito, que em conjunto compõem a aderência natural. Adicionalmente, podem ser empregados conectores de cisalhamento, que são dispositivos mecânicos fixados nas superfícies internas dos tubos, como meio de ampliar a resistência ao escorregamento. Foram realizados ensaios do tipo pushout em alguns tipos de modelos de pilar preenchido: modelos simples, com adição de conectores tipo pino com cabeça, com cantoneiras na interface aço-concreto e semelhantes aos anteriores mais elementos de ligação. Com os resultados obtidos traçaram-se comportamentos força x escorregamento do concreto, força x deformações axiais nos materiais e curvas de distribuição de força ao longo do comprimento dos modelos. Concluiu-se que conectores tipo pino com cabeça e cantoneiras são uma excelente alternativa como dispositivos auxiliares na transferência de tensões de cisalhamento na interface aço-concreto. Entretanto, é necessário garantir resistência à ligação para que esses mecanismos sejam mobilizados / This research presents a study of influence of bond on concrete-filled steel tubes by means of a bibliography review and an experimental investigation. The bond strength counts on three mechanisms: adhesion of the concrete to the steel surface, friction and wedging of the concrete core. In order to improve the shear resistance of the steel-concrete interface, shear connectors can be used. A series of push-out tests of rectangular concrete-filled steel tubes was conducted in the specimens without mechanical shear connectors, specimens with stud bolt shear connectors and specimens with angles. They were also tested the corresponding beam-column connections. The results are shown in curves force x slip of concrete, force x axial strain of materials and distribution of axial load to the steel and to the concrete. The results of the tests permitted identify the mechanisms of natural bond and indicated that the stud bolts and the angles are excellent alternatives as auxiliary mechanisms to transfer shear between the concrete and steel in the concrete filled composite column. However, it is necessary to guarantee the connection enough strength in order to permit these resistance be developed

Este trabalho aborda o estudo da aderência aço-concreto em pilares mistos preenchidos através de revisão bibliográfica e de investigação experimental. De modo esquemático, a aderência é dividida em três parcelas: adesão, aderência mecânica e atrito, que em conjunto compõem a aderência natural. Adicionalmente, podem ser empregados conectores de cisalhamento, que são dispositivos mecânicos fixados nas superfícies internas dos tubos, como meio de ampliar a resistência ao escorregamento. Foram realizados ensaios do tipo pushout em alguns tipos de modelos de pilar preenchido: modelos simples, com adição de conectores tipo pino com cabeça, com cantoneiras na interface aço-concreto e semelhantes aos anteriores mais elementos de ligação. Com os resultados obtidos traçaram-se comportamentos força x escorregamento do concreto, força x deformações axiais nos materiais e curvas de distribuição de força ao longo do comprimento dos modelos. Concluiu-se que conectores tipo pino com cabeça e cantoneiras são uma excelente alternativa como dispositivos auxiliares na transferência de tensões de cisalhamento na interface aço-concreto. Entretanto, é necessário garantir resistência à ligação para que esses mecanismos sejam mobilizados / This research presents a study of influence of bond on concrete-filled steel tubes by means of a bibliography review and an experimental investigation. The bond strength counts on three mechanisms: adhesion of the concrete to the steel surface, friction and wedging of the concrete core. In order to improve the shear resistance of the steel-concrete interface, shear connectors can be used. A series of push-out tests of rectangular concrete-filled steel tubes was conducted in the specimens without mechanical shear connectors, specimens with stud bolt shear connectors and specimens with angles. They were also tested the corresponding beam-column connections. The results are shown in curves force x slip of concrete, force x axial strain of materials and distribution of axial load to the steel and to the concrete. The results of the tests permitted identify the mechanisms of natural bond and indicated that the stud bolts and the angles are excellent alternatives as auxiliary mechanisms to transfer shear between the concrete and steel in the concrete filled composite column. However, it is necessary to guarantee the connection enough strength in order to permit these resistance be developed