The SMARTCOCO Project: A Research Push for Hybrid Structures

Abstract

The SMARTCOCO research project fills gaps in knowledge and provide design guidance for composite elements are covered neither by Eurocode 2 nor by Eurocode 4: composite columns or walls reinforced by several fully encased steel sections, reinforced concrete columns reinforced by one steel section over the height of one storey and concrete flat slabs or beams connected to columns or walls by means of steel shear keys. Gaps in knowledge are mostly related to force transmission between concrete and embedded steel profiles. A generic design approach has been developed and then used to design test specimens. The results have been used to calibrate the design proposal. The output is a design guide which complements Eurocode 2 and 4.