Performance Evaluation of Tubular Perfobond Shear Connectors

Abstract

The push-out test is used by several researchers to study the behaviour of shear connectors employed in composite beams. This test provides knowledge on the mechanical properties of the connection, such as shear resistance and ductility. EN 1994-1-1 [1] presents a test configuration, which includes the geometry of the test specimen and the testing procedure. However, many authors have adopted different geometries, such as [2], [3] and [4]. The British standard BS 5400-5 [5] also presents guidelines for the push-out test, including different geometry for test specimens , especially regarding reinforced concrete slabs (Figure 1). One of the most widely studied connectors is the per-fobond connector due to its excellent performance, mainly regarding shear resistance and ease of installation. However , many research investigations have been carried out to further improve the behaviour of these perforated con-nectors. During this process, several new perforated con-nectors have been proposed, including the perfobond tubular connector (TPC). a) b) Figure 1 Push-out test configuration. a) EN 1994-1-1 [1]. b) BS 5400-5 [5] This study aims to compare the mechanical behaviour of the TPC with the conventional perfobond connector (PC), and also to analyse the performance of the TPC proposed by Souza et al. [6], through a parametric numerical study. A comparison between the TPC studied in accordance with the BS 5400-5 [5] and the TPC studied following EN 1994-1-1 [1] was also conducted. Abstract This study presents the behaviour of tubular perfobond shear connectors. Normative codes were used to study the connectors, which provide guidelines for the push-out test. The aim of the tubular connector is to provide a connector with good shear resistance, similar to other perforated connectors, and, above all, adequate ductil-ity. The ease of installation and obtaining the material for its manufacture also motivated the study of this connector. The connector consists of a tubular steel section with holes along its length. The tubular section was chosen since it has two shear planes, which contributes doubly not only to resistance, but also to ductility. To study the tubular perfobond shear connector, experimental push-out tests were carried out based on current normative codes. The parameters studied, such as the strength of the materials, section and length of the connector, were chosen with the aim of providing a resistant connector with a ductile behaviour. The results obtained indicate that tubular perfobond shear connector can present a competitive mechanical behaviour including a deformation capacity to meet the ductility requirements for a plastic design.