Analytical Study of Stud Shear Connector Behavior in Steel–UHPC Composite Structures

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) combined with shorter stud shear connectors (<i>h/d</i> < 4) presents challenges that existing analytical models for stud connectors cannot adequately address. This study enhances the elastic foundation beam model to better accommodate these mate...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wei Du, Zhijian Hu, Zhi Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3807
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) combined with shorter stud shear connectors (<i>h/d</i> < 4) presents challenges that existing analytical models for stud connectors cannot adequately address. This study enhances the elastic foundation beam model to better accommodate these material and dimensional changes. Key improvements include the analytical calculation of equivalent foundation stiffness, which incorporates the rotation of the stud head—an aspect often neglected in previous research—and considers the post-yield plastic hinge at the stud weld. The proposed analytical model effectively captures variations in stud diameter and concrete elastic modulus, providing a load–slip curve with broader applicability than traditional empirical formulas. Validation against experimental data from 21 push-out specimens of varying diameters shows strong agreement, confirming the accuracy of the method. Moreover, a parametric study based on the analytical model reveals the sequential relationship between the formation of plastic hinges at the stud weld and the development of plastic regions in the concrete. This relationship is influenced by factors such as stud diameter, yield strength, and concrete strength. Notably, an increase in concrete strength significantly enhances the shear force at the stud root at the point when the concrete reaches its compressive strength. This explains why high-strength concrete specimens exhibit lower ultimate slip. These findings provide a crucial basis for understanding the behavior of stud shear connectors in composite structures.
ISSN:2075-5309