Behaviour of shear connections realised by connectors fastened with cartridge fired pins

Abstract

Composite action between steel beams and prefabricated or solid concrete slabs can be achieved with various types of shear connectors which differ considering their main properties, installation time and required equipment at the construction site. Mechanically fastened shear connectors represent an alternative solution to the traditionally used welded headed studs or bolted shear connectors. X-HVB shear connectors fastened with two X-ENP-21 HVB cartridge fired pins are their main representative. The behaviour of shear connection realised by X-HVB shear connectors is investigated through experiments and numerical analysis of both parts: shear connectors and cartridge fired pins. Main achievements of this investigation are presented in this paper and should lead to a better understanding of X-HVB shear connectors behaviour and extension of the currently small basis of available experimental results.