Design and experimental analysis of a new shear connector for steel and concrete composite structures

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThroughout the last decades, steel-concrete composite structures have been increasingly used in construction. The advantages of composite systems are well known and result from the fact that, in these systems, steel and concrete elements can work submitted to compressive and tensile stresses, respectively, situation in which their best behaviour is accomplished.The connection between steel and concrete provides the composite behaviour, making the two elements work as a unique piece. The use of shear connectors enhances the development of longitudinal shear forces at the steel-concrete interface. In composite beams, shear connectors are also subjected to tensile forces that act transversely to the concrete slab plane. These forces result from the tendency of separation between the steel beam and the concrete slab (uplift effect).Several shear connectors have been recently proposed and used in composite structures (