Connecting element for a composite beam

Claim 1

A connecting element for use in a composite beam structure formed of an upper concrete slab and a structural steel member depending downwardly from the concrete slab for connecting the concrete slab to the structural steel member, comprising a substantially L-shaped member, said L-shaped member including an elongated base member having a first face and an oppositely directed second face with a pair of laterally spaced first edges extending in the elongated direction of said base member along two opposite edges of said first and second faces and a pair of second edges spaced apart in and extending transversely of the elongated direction of said base member and extending along two other opposite edges of said first and second faces, an elongated anchor strap formed integrally with said base member and extending angularly from one of said second edges of said base member with the elongated direction of said anchor strap forming an angular continuation of the elongated direction of said base member so that the integrally formed said base member and anchor strap provide said member with its L-shape, said anchor strap having a first face and an oppositely directed second face with the first face thereof forming an angularly disposed continuation of the first face on said base member, said first face and second face having a pair of laterally spaced first edges extending in the elongated direction of said anchor strap and a pair of second edges spaced apart in and extending transversely of the elongated direction of said anchor strap, at least one opening extending through said base member between said first and second faces thereof with the opening being spaced inwardly from said first edges and said second edges, a fastening element insertible through the opening in said base member for securing said base member to a structural steel member of a composite beam structure by driving the fastening element into the structural steel member, supporting webs formed integrally with said base member along said first edges thereof and secured to said anchor strap along said first edges thereof, said base member having a deformation zone extending along each of the first edges thereof and located between said supporting webs and the opening through said base plate so that if a force is applied to said anchor strap increasing the angular displacement between the first faces of said anchor strap and said base member, said supporting webs effect a pulling force along the first edges of said base member with the deformation zone of said base member bending away from the structural steel member to which it is attached.