The problem of transition zone of structural steel element connected to concrete is discussed in the following paper. This zone may be located for instance in specific bridge composite girder. In such case the composite beam passes smoothly into concrete beam. Because of several dowels usage in the transition zone, the problem of uneven force distribution were discussed through analogy to bolted and welded connections. The authors present innovative solution of transition zone and discuss the results, with emphasis put on the transition zone structural response in term of bending capacity, failure model and force distribution on the connection length. The article wider the already executed experimental test and presents its newest results.

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A new kind of composite connection is implemented in bridge engineering in Poland, which leads to a new type of steel‐concrete beams. First innovative bridges are constructed based on in‐depth scientific works. Perfobond shear connector (PBL) concept has been combined with standard geometries of composite dowels and in this way, efficient shear connection has been created that is used in combination with composite dowels. It enables a new type of beams that have more general forms than standard composite beams – they are named hybrid beams. There are intensive R&D works going on towards optimization of the transition zone concept. The article widens the already executed experimental tests, summarises the development of the hybrid beams, and presents the application of the hybrid beams in bridges.

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