Experimental study on the hybrid shear connection using headed studs and steel plates

Although several types of rigid shear connectors have been developed particularly to increase load-carrying capacity, application is limited due to the complicated details of such connection. In this study, push-out tests were performed for specimens with hybrid shear connectors using headed studs and shear plates to identify the effects of each parameter on the structural performance of such shear connection. The test parameters included steel ratios of headed stud to shear plate, connection length, and embedded depth of shear plates. The peak strength and residual strength were estimated using various shear transfer mechanisms such as stud shear, concrete bearing, and shear friction. The hybrid shear connectors using shear plates and headed studs showed large load-carrying capacity and deformation capacity. The peak strength was predicted by the concrete bearing strength of the shear plates. The residual strength was sufficiently predicted by the stud shear strength of headed studs or by shear friction strength of dowel reinforcing bars. Further, the finite element analysis was performed to verify the shear transfer mechanism of the connection with hybrid shear connector.