Angle shear connectors: Pushout tests, numerical simulations and shear strength model

Abstract

Despite several advantages i.e. ease in fabrication and installation, economic design, higher structural performance etc., the use of angle shear connector has been limited thus far. This is because, there exists no design equation for this connector type in the design standards. Currently, these connectors are designed through the equations originally developed for other connectors. In this study, the performance of angle shear connectors was investigated through experiments and numerical simulations. The experimental results revealed that the connector height influences the performance which is currently ignored in most of the design code equations for channel connectors. The influence of wide range of other parameters was studied through numerical simulations. A parametric study was conducted considering the effect of angle length, height, thickness, welding length, and strength of concrete. Finally, a theoretical model, capable of predicting the strength of angle shear connectors, was developed and verified against experimental results of this study and others from previous literature.