This paper presents the numerical modelling of strengthening a steel-concrete composite beam. The main assumption is that the strengthening is not the effect of the state of a failure of a structure, but it resulted from the need to increase the load-bearing capacity and stiffness of the structure (for example: due to a change in the use of the object). The expected solution is strengthening without the necessity to completely unload the structures (to reduce the scope of works, the cost of modernization and to shorten the time). The problem is presented on the example of a composite beam which was strengthened through welding a steel plate to the lower flange of the steel beam. The paper describes how energy parameters are used to evaluate the efficiency of structures’ strengthening and proposes an appropriate solution.