Shear Transfer Capacity of Angle Connectors in U-Shaped Composite Girder: Experimental and Numerical Study

Abstract

This research investigates the shear resistance of steel angle connectors welded to the webs of U-shaped steel–concrete composite girders. First, push-out tests were conducted on the experimental specimens in which the design parameters included the thickness of the angles, the concrete compressive strength, and whether or not foam blocks were attached to the ends of the angles. The test results showed that the slip capacities of the steel angle connectors exceeded 6 mm, for which the steel angle connectors can be categorized as a ductile shear connector. Finite-element (FE) models were then developed for each specimen. After the FE models were validated by the test results of the experimental specimens, the influences of different design parameters on the shear resistance of the angle connectors were investigated by parametric analyses. Further, based on the results from the parametric analyses, an empirical design model was developed and found to provide acceptable predictions for the shear resistance of the angle connector.