Abstract: In order to study the effects of different parameters on the behaviour of steel-concrete sandwich-type composite members, a second testing program was initiated at the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT). The new parameters included in this, programme are, steel fibre reinforcements, bar reinforcements, thin high-strength steel face plates and stainless steel face plates. this paper presents the load-deformation behaviour of steel-concrete composite members and their shear load carrying capacity under static and cyclic loads. The ultimate moment and shear capacities of beam specimens are compared with the calculated values using empirical and upper-bound plasticity methods developed by the Centre for Frontier Engineering Research (C-FER). The effects of different parameters on the load bearing capacity of the specimens are discussed and the needs for further developments in the calculation models are highlighted.
1. INTRODUCTION Many kinds of arctic structures have been built during the past two decades to exploit the resources of the ice-infested waters of the arctic region. The exterior walls of such offshore structures must be designed to resist the high external loads exerted by the moving ice floes and icebergs. The sandwich-type composite structures are not only economical but also provide "satisfactory performance during their service life. The basic composite system consists of two thin continuous steel, plates, placed concentrically with a filler material such as concrete between them. Since composite members exhibit high flexural and shear capacity with regard to ductile failure and a large capacity to absorb energy, they are specially suited for structures which have to resist concentrated ice forces in arctic and sub-arctic environments. The other interesting types of steel/concrete composite structures are the double-skin sandwich structures, in which the two steel face plates are connected by studs with concrete core between steel plates.