Crestbond shear connector for load transfer on concrete filled composite columns in fire

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a numerical study of the Crestbond shear connector, characterized by a steel plate with regular cuttings, when used as a load transfer element in concrete filled composite columns in fire. The developed numerical model was calibrated with experimental results of composite columns in fire and later the load transfer devices were inserted. Numerical analyzes were performed with the software Abaqus and comprised the variation of the composite column diameter and of the loading levels, as well as the comparison with the results obtained when is used a through steel plate without cuttings (Shear Flat) as a load transfer device. With the analyzes performed, it was observed that the Crestbond shear connector and the Shear Flat present very similar thermomechanical performance in relation to the load transfer capacity. Thus, the Crestbond shear connector has the potential to be applied alternatively to the Shear Flat as a load transfer device in concrete filled composite columns, with the advantage of the possibility of associate use of longitudinal and manly transverse reinforcement.

Material characteristics of push-out tests

Two types of push-out tests were carried out at the Centre of Research and Innovation in Construction, the Technical University of Košice - one at a composite based on steel continuous shear connector and the second one at the same connector, however made of glass-laminate material. For further research, the material characteristics of the material used needed to be found. In this article, the material tests performed as well as their results are presented.

Experimental Study of Perfobond Rib Shear Connector under Lateral Force

A series of full-scale pushed out tests were performed on the Perfobond rib shear connector. The tests were designed to examine the performance of the Perfobond rib shear connector under different rib hole sizes and shapes, reinforcing bar sizes, rib thicknesses, as well as the presence of lateral forces. It has been revealed from the test results that the rib hole size and reinforcement diameter may not act independently, and the influence of one’s size is actually dependent on the size of the other one. The lateral forces also affect the performance of the shear connector; for example, the capacity of the shear connector would be larger under compression than under tension. The existence of transverse pretension stress accelerated the cracking of concrete, leading to the strength and stiffness of concrete, perforated plate, and reinforcing rebars unable to fully exert their effect. In addition, the constraint effect of transverse stress improved the strength and stiffness of concrete and delayed the concrete cracking, bringing the strength and stiffness of concrete, perforated plate, and reinforcing rebars into full play, and resulting in a significant improvement in the shear capacity of Perfobond rib shear connectors.