Experimental study on demountable shear connectors in profiled composite slabs

This paper presents an experimental study on demountable shear connectors in profiled composite slabs. Overall, three groups of push-off tests were conducted to assess the shear capacity, stiffness and ductility of the shear connectors. In all the specimens, a pair of shear studs were used per trough and were bolted to each side of the flange of a loading beam. Different concrete strength, embedment height of the shear studs and reinforcement cage were considered. Particularly, a joint was made between the pair studs in two groups of specimens when casting and formed two completely separate slabs per half specimen, to evaluate the load transfer between the pair studs. The experimental results showed that the shear capacity and behavior of the demountable connectors in separate slabs and continuous slab were both similar to the welded connectors and could fulfill the 6mm minimum ductility requirement stated in Eurocode 4 if proper embedment height of connector was used. The shear capacities of the tested specimens were compared against the calculated results obtained from the equations used for welded shear connectors in Eurocode 4 and bolted connections in Eurocode 3. Generally, the Eurocodes prediction underestimated the shear capacities of the push-off specimens.