Experimental evaluation of the structural behavior of truss-type shear connectors in composite steel-concrete beams

Abstract

Composite structures present great advantages regarding structural and constructive aspects, with the shear connectors being decisive for obtaining adequate interaction between the structural elements. Moreover, shear connectors produce a better distribution of the stresses in the structure, taking advantage of the potentiality of each constituent material of the composite structure (steel and concrete). This work, through experimental studies, presents the development of a truss-type shear connector proposed for use in a concrete-steel composite beam. The proposed connector is easy to implement and can serve as a viable alternative to the use of stud or U connectors. The geometry of the connector is designed to provide low production cost, ease of execution, higher values of resistant load, and efficiency in regard to the relative sliding between the steel profile and the concrete slab, as well as high efficiency regarding the resistance to the distancing of the slabs relative to the steel profile (uplift). To evaluate the behavior of truss-type connectors, six experimental specimens were constructed for push-out tests; three truss-type connectors with 12.5 mm diameter and three stud bolt connectors with 19.0 mm diameter. The behavior of the specimens was investigated concerning the failure loads, the transversal displacements (uplift) and the relative vertical displacements (sliding) between the reinforced concrete slabs and the steel profiles of the models. The results of the experimental analyses provided an overview of the working mechanisms of the truss-type connectors being proposed compared to stud bolt connectors. Considering the parameters analyzed in this work, the results show the advantages of the proposed connector when compared to the stud connector.

Author Biographies

Wallison Carlos de Sousa Barbosa, Universidade de Brasília
Departamento de Engenharia Civil. Área de Estruturas.
Luciano Mendes Bezerra, Universidade de Brasília
Departamento de Engenharia Civil e Ambiental. Área de Estruturas.
Latif Chater, Universidade de Brasília
Departamento de Engenharia Civil e Ambiental. Área de Estruturas.
Otávio Rangel de Oliveira e Cavalcante, Universidade Federal do Ceará
Departamento de Engenharia Civil. Área de Estruturas.
Published
2019-04-09