Experimental shear strength evaluation of perfobond shear connector with various hole shapes

Abstract

The perfobond connector, composed of a steel plate with a number of holes, serves as a certain type of shear connector in steel and concrete composite structures. Depending on limits in hole distances and rib heights, various hole shapes including circular-hole and long-hole are alternatives for perfobond connectors. This study presented the results of tests performed on 72 push-out specimens with perfobond connectors. The purpose was to evaluate the shear strength of perfobond connectors with circular-hole and long-hole. The effects of various parameters were investigated, including the hole diameter, the hole length, the hole height, the concrete strength, the existence, diameter and strength of rebar in the hole, the thickness, height and distance of perfobond ribs, and the thickness of concrete slabs. On the basis of 132 push-out test results in references and in this study, an analytical model was proposed by regression analysis to predict the shear strength of perfobond connectors. The proposed equation agreed reasonably well with the experimental results of perfobond connectors with different hole shapes.