This thesis presents elastic-plastic finite element analyses of seven long span composite open-web steel joists. These analyses account for the incomplete interaction between the concrete slab and the steel joist by modeling the nonlinear behavior of the steel shear connectors.

Experimental tests on long span composite open-web steel joists were performed at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Measurements of joist deflections, member strains, and slip between the concrete slab and steel joist were recorded.

The response of the finite element models agree reasonably well with the response of the test prototypes where the shear connector position was known. The finite element model can be generated on any general purpose finite element program that includes beam elements and nonlinear spring elements. The finite element model can give reasonable predictions of deflections and ultimate load capacity of a composite open-web steel joist.