Shear behaviour of demountable connections with bolts and headed studs

Abstract

Following the trend of sustainable development and structure reuse, many novel solutions related to demountable shear connectors for application in steel-concrete composite beams have been proposed in recent years. This paper provides a further contribution to the research field by proposing a demountable connection with bolts and welded headed studs. The transfer of shear force between a steel flange and a composite concrete slab cast in an open trough profiled steel sheeting is indirect, passing through a steel plate or angles. The proposed solution enables convenient dismantling and reuse of both the composite slab and the steel profile. The experimental investigation included push-out tests, performed to assess the connection shear behaviour, determine resistance and ductility, and identify failure modes. Various configurations of the demountable connection were analysed, including connections with continuous and discontinuous slabs over the support. The response of the suggested demountable solution was compared to the corresponding non-demountable shear connection with headed studs. According to experimental investigation, finite element models were developed, and their accuracy was validated by comparing numerical predictions with experimental results. Parametric studies were conducted using numerical models to evaluate the effects of key parameters on the connection performance, such as plate and angle thickness, stirrup reinforcement position, and transverse distance between a headed stud and slab edge. Directions for design were proposed taking into account the results obtained.