Abstract
This paper describes a computationally designed process to determine the Ultimate Shear Resistance (USR) of composite steel-aluminium beams subjected to shear load. Aluminium alloys are used in a variety of structural engineering applications due to their high strength/weight ratio and durability. However, the strength of aluminium alloys is reduced near the weld due to the heat of the welding process. The USR of several different cross-sectional shapes of composite beams were initially computed using a proposed design equation. A consistent nonlinear 3-D finite element model using the ANSYS software package was used to fulfil the performance criteria. The value of the USR obtained from the proposed design equation was compared with the corresponding ultimate shear stress in the web panel obtained from the F.E. model. The outcome of the proposed equation encouraged its use as a new design equation. This equation could accurately predict the USR.