Non-linear inelastic analysis of steel–concrete composite beams curved in-plan

This paper develops a numerical formulation for the non-linear inelastic analysis of steel–concrete composite beams that are curved in-plan. The interactions of the various sources of geometric and material non-linearities are very complex, necessitating a sophisticated numerical treatment of the problem to correctly model the structural response of curved composite beams. The geometric non-linearity and the flexibility of the shear connection at the steel–concrete interface in the tangential direction, as well as in the radial direction, are taken into account in the proposed formulation. The von Mises associative isotropic hardening plastic model and a damaged elastic model are employed to formulate the material inelastic behaviour. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed formulation are validated by comparing its results with experimental results reported in the literature. Examples are presented to elucidate the effects of the initial curvature and partial shear interaction on the non-linear inelastic behaviour of composite beams curved in-plan.