THE STRENGTH OF STUD SHEAR CONNECTORS

Results are described of tests on 47 push-out specimens designed to study the strength of stud shear connectors for composite steel and concrete construction. Different stud steels, two concrete types, and variations in concrete strength were examined, specimens with studs of different dimensions and having slabs with and without reinforcement were also tested. The shear stress-slip curves for low loads were predictable by modelling the connectors as a flexible elastic dowel on an elastic foundation. For high loads an empirical expression is developed defining the relative influences of the variables examined. The test results are compared with those of other investigators and with the requirements of the AISC specification and the British code CP 117. /A/