Experimental analysis of the structural behavior of different types of shear connectors in steel-concrete composite beams

ABSTRACT: The present work aims to compare the structural behavior of steel-concrete composite-section beams for three types of shear connectors made of U hot rolled section and cold-formed sections of U and L. Experimental tests were performed with the three types of connectors associated with I section laminated steel beams and reinforced concrete slabs. For each type of connector, three push-out tests were performed, as well as six simple supported beam tests to evaluate the positive bending moment region. The results indicated that the direct shear behavior among the different types of connectors presents significant differences, however they do not significantly influence the average flexural strength of the composite beams. These, however, present considerable differences in deflections and deformations due to the stiffness differences of the connectors.