Experimental analysis of shear connection between steel and lightweight concrete

This work describes the experimental tests carried out at the University of Minho to evaluate the behaviour of shear connection between steel and lightweight concrete. Two types of shear connectors are studied in the experimental campaign. These are headed studs with 19 mm, 22 mm and 25 mm of shank diameter and Perfobond rib with circular openings. The standard push-out test, as defined in EN 1994-1-1, is chosen for this analysis. The connection behavior is analysed in terms of its load-slip relation and the failure modes are identified. Also, the load capacity, maximum slip, elastic slip and plastic slip are quantified. Some of the push-out tests performed try to isolate the components of the steel to concrete connection in order to evaluate each one’s contribution. All the results that allow the characterisation of the connection between steel and lightweight concrete are compared with the results obtained by other authors with similar specimens made of normal density concrete.