Numerical analysis of push-out specimens with perfobond rib connectors

Abstract

A numerical study of the behaviour of perfobond rib shear connectors using the finite element analysis technique is presented. The perfobond rib connector is simply a flat plate with a number of holes punched through. The principal objective of the study was to establish, using numerically generated data, generalized expressions for predicting the capacity of this connector. It was found that the predicted capacities given by the equations derived from the numerical study were in good agreement with experimental results obtained from push-out test specimens, although the predicted values tended to be on the conservative side in most instances.