Theoretical and Experimental Study on the Stress State of Joints in Two-Way Composite Slabs

Abstract

To investigate the stress state at the joints of two-way reinforced concrete composite slabs, this study conducted static load tests on four two-way concrete composite slabs. The primary focus was on analyzing the effects of lap reinforcement length and cross-sectional height at the joints on the load-bearing capacity, deformation behavior, and crack development of the slabs. The experimental results revealed that increasing the lap reinforcement length and cross-sectional height at the joints significantly enhanced the overall integrity and flexural capacity of the composite slabs, with load-bearing capacity increasing by up to 92.3% and deflection decreasing by as much as 40.2%. Additionally, a finite element model was used to simulate the mechanical behavior of the composite slabs, and the results were compared with experimental data, showing an error margin of within 10%. Based on the validated finite element model, the study further explored key factors influencing the stress performance at the joints of two-way concrete composite slabs and their impact patterns. Finally, the paper proposes a simplified formula for calculating the load-bearing capacity of composite slabs, which enables rapid estimation of slab performance, providing theoretical support and practical guidance for structural engineering and construction practices.