Effect of top-hat shear connectors on the strength of cold-formed steel-concrete composite beams

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed brief analysis of recent developments in various aspects of the structure of cold-formed steel. The connectors were executed from sections of a non-weld able top-hat profile (70×80×3)mm made of steel plate. The connectors were fastened to the beam with two bolts with diameter of 10mm. Totally twelve simply supported composite beam specimens are tested under two loading points to determine the flexural strength. The twelve composite beams with different thickness (2,3, and 4) mm and connection between channel(L/3, L/6) are tested. With a constant depth and a variable length of 2 and 1.5 m, the cross-section shape of the beams was maintained. The cold formed steel channel section with top hat connector at compression side is used. To avoid slip and to transfer horizontal shear between cold formed steel and concrete, the shear connectors are provided. The top hat connectors were used as shear connector between concrete and steel section. The load-deflection behavior, ultimate flexural load and failure pattern of beam had been studied. The experimental results indicate that, the load carrying capacity of the composite beams with thickness of 4mm and connection between channel with L/6 is more than the other specimen with different thicknesses and connections. The mid-span deflection at ultimate load for the composite beams was reduced in case of beam has connection L/6 and thickness 4mm. It was observed that, the steel-concrete composite beams failed due to flexural.