A web-based version of the Composite Beam Checking Tool is available at www.steelconstruction.info allowing you to design the slab with metal deck, using the ComFlor® range.

The software enables you to design simply supported composite beams to the Eurocodes specifications, using Tata Steel’s composite floor deck, ComFlor® 60 or ComFlor® 80 in the slab design.  Featuring fire conditions, the web-based tool includes verification of the beam at elevated temperature, with a quick check facility for protected and unprotected beams as well as the facility to compare a range of protection types and thicknesses.

This practical tool is ideal for structural engineers and is easy to use.  Its simplicity means you can carry out a quick check and comparison using the different parameters provided for protected and unprotected beams as well as on a range of protection types and thicknesses.

On unprotected beams, the software reports the time to failure which can be compared to the required period of fire resistance.  Protected beams provide two results – the critical temperature, which may be used to specify the required performance from any protection system and the time to failure which again can be compared to the required period of fire resistance.

The software is applicable to secondary beams subject to uniformly distributed loading, or primary beams loaded at midspan or third points.  The tool allows you to select from a range of Advance beams in grade S355, and the slab is constructed with metal deck, making it easy for you to see how Tata Steel’s ComFlor^®range of metal deck performs under selected parameters.

Structural steel design is carried out to BS EN 1993-1-1, concrete design to BS EN 1992-1-1 and composite design to BS EN 1994-1-1. All standards are as implemented by the UK National Annexes. ULS and SLS checks are carried out for the execution and normal stages. At the execution stage the secondary beam compression flange is assumed to be fully restrained by the metal deck, and the primary beam compression flange is assumed to be restrained at load application points. The design shear connection at the normal stage follows the recommendations of NCCI PN001a-GB and SCI-P405 Minimum degree of shear connection rules for UK construction to Eurocode 4.

Verification of the beam at elevated temperature is carried out to BS EN 1994-1-2 and its National Annex, together with NCCI PN005c-GB which is used to determine temperatures within a concrete slab. The beam may be unprotected or protected; a range of protection types and thicknesses may be selected. If the beam is unprotected, the software reports the time to failure, which may be compared to the required period of fire resistance. If the beam is protected, two results are provided:

• the critical temperature, which may be used to specify the required performance from any protection system.
• the time to failure, which can be compared to the required period of fire resistance.

Click here to use web-based Composite Beam Checking Tool.

For further information on the ComFlor^® composite floor decking system or to speak with a member of our Technical Department on T:01244 892199