Hysteretic tests of stud connection subjected to combined shear and tension

Abstract

The hysteretic behaviour of stud connections in the shear direction under the combined action of shear and tension was studied by the push-out test of eight cyclic loading specimens. To compare the difference between cyclic loading and monotonic loading on the shear capacity and the shear–slip curve, eight monotonic loading specimens were designed as reference specimens. The main variables considered in this study were the diameter of the stud, the strength of the concrete, and the magnitude of the tensile force in the stud. Based on the test results, failure modes, shear–slip curves and characteristic points on the curves of all specimens were evaluated. Hysteretic responses such as ductility, strength degradation and energy dissipation of cyclic loading specimens were analysed. The test results show that the diameter of the stud, the strength of concrete and the tensile force of stud connectors have significant effects on the hysteretic performance of stud connections. The stud connection with larger stud diameter and higher concrete grade has higher shear resistance, higher ductility index and higher energy dissipation capacity. In comparison to stud connections under pure shear loading, the hysteretic properties of stud connections with combined action of shear and tension are degraded. The influence of tensile force on the hysteretic performance of stud connections under the combined action of shear and tension would thus need to be taken into consideration in the design of composite structures.