SUMMARY The forces in a typical composite beam are reviewed and their action on the connectors is described. Several basic forms of connectors are introduced. Design values for ultimate strength and their experimental evaluation Full connection is explained together with the use of reductions of connector strength by recourse to moment interaction diagrams.SUMMARY • The forces in a typical composite beam are reviewed and their action on the connectors is described. • Several basic forms of connectors are introduced. • Design values for ultimate strength and their experimental evaluation • Full connection is explained together with the use of reductions of connector strength by recourse to moment interaction diagrams