Numerical and experimental investigation of anchor channels subjected to shear load in composite slabs with profiled steel decking

Abstract

Anchor channels are a type of cast-in place anchor that are well suited for supporting curtain walls and other applications in commercial construction because they provide flexibility when positioning a fixture. For curtain wall applications, anchor channels are often installed close to the edge of a floor slab. Modern high-rise buildings commonly use composite slabs consisting of profiled steel decking with an in-situ cast concrete topping. The specific geometry of the composite slab is a major factor to consider when designing anchor channel connections. Since there are currently no guidelines or investigations available on the topic, the design is done primarily based on engineering judgment. The aim of the present research is to investigate how the geometry of composite slabs affects the concrete edge breakout capacity of anchor channels loaded in shear. An extensive numerical parametric study and an experimental campaign were carried out to evaluate the difference in the shear capacity between composite slabs and equivalent plain concrete slabs with the same overall thickness. In the numerical study the 3D nonlinear FE code based on the microplane model was employed. Based on the numerical results, a new design approach is proposed for different positions of anchor channels in composite slabs.