Perforated shear connectors

Perforated shear connectors currently used in composite steel and concrete structures are described and evaluated. Modifications of the perforated connector suitable for common use in civil and bridge engineering are proposed. The connectors were tested in laboratories of CTU Prague for shear load capacity. Push tests of connectors with 32 mm openings and with 60 mm openings, both in normal and lightweight concrete of different strength characteristics and with different transverse reinforcement, were carried out. The experimental study also dealt with the connector height and parallel arrangement of two connectors and their influence on shear resistance. While extensive tests with static loading were carried out, fatigue tests under repeated loading are still in progress. After statistical evaluation of the experimental results and comparisons with other available data the authors developed reasonable shear resistance formulas for all proposed arrangements.