Demountable reinforced concrete slabs using dry connections

The results of an experimental investigation of a new dry connection for reinforced concrete slab elements are presented. Seven full-scale slabs were tested; one slab was monolithic and used as a control specimen, while the other six were assembled using top and bottom steel plates joined by steel bolts with high tensile strength. Two connection scenarios were investigated – a simple bolted connection and a connection with a shear key. The parameters studied were the use of stirrups at the connection section, the step size of the shear key, the bolt diameter and the number of bolts. The test results showed that using a shear key at the assembled section in demountable slabs was more efficient than the simple bolted connection, providing higher flexural stiffness, greater load capacity and less deflection. However, increasing the shear key step size improved the flexural performance of the demountable slabs. In addition, adding stirrups in the assembled section enhanced the flexural stiffness and the total load capacity of the demountable slabs. Predictions of the moment capacity and deflection of the demountable slabs showed reasonably good agreement with the experimental results but, to be generalised, additional calibrated data from experiments are required.