Mechanical Behavior of Composite Beams Considering Nonlinear Shear Stiffness of Clustered Studs

Abstract

Clustered studs are suitable for use in prefabricated steel-concrete composite beams. As a kind of shear connector, clustered studs have a non-negligible influence on the mechanical behavior of structures. Based on the theory of elasticity, prefabricated composite beams investigated via laminated plane stress problem. The load-slip curves of the shear connectors are linearly processed, and through iterative calculations, the displacement and stress distribution functions of prefabricated composite beams are obtained. Then, a model test is carried out on the positive bending moment section of prefabricated composite beams. A sampling method with front segments controlled by the load and back segments controlled by the slip is adopted. This method provides a better rate of convergence and higher accuracy than those of other methods. The test results show that when the load is small and the composite beam is in the elastic stage, the slope of the load-slip curve can be used as the shear stiffness of the clustered studs. When the load is large and the composite beam enters the plastic stage, the nonlinear shear stiffness of the studs must be considered to obtain a high-precision solution.