Composite steel–concrete construction, particularly for
multi-storey steel frames, has achieved a high market share
in several European countries, the USA, Canada and
Australia. This is mainly due to a reduction in construction
depth, to savings in steel weight and to rapid construction
programmers.
Composite action enhances structural efficiency by
combining the structural elements to create a single
composite section. Composite beam designs provide a
significant economy through reduced material, more slender
floor depths and faster construction. Moreover, this system
is well recognized in terms of the stiffness and strength
improvements that can be achieved when compared with
Non-composite solutions.  A fundamental point for the
structural behavior and design of composite beams is the
level of connection and interaction between the steel section
and the concrete slab. The term “full shear connection”
relates to the case in which the connection between the
components is able to fully resist the forces applied to it.
This is possibly the most common situation; however, over
the last two decades the use of beams in building
construction has led to many instances when the
interconnection cannot resist all the forces applied (partial
shear connection).