Structural Performance of Composite Joints using Bent Studs

Abstract

A composite truss bridge is an efficient structural type where the merits of both the steel member and the prestressed concrete member are combined. The design of a connection for the truss bridge is of particular interest due to complex details resulting from concentrated forces at the composite joint. In this paper, experimental investigations were conducted to evaluate the performance of the joint with bent studs welded on a gusset plate. Push-out tests for static and fatigue loadings on a group stud connection were conducted to evaluate the direct shear strength and fatigue endurance of the joint. Because the joints are subject to various loading conditions, flexure-shear tests were also performed to verify the design provisions for the joints under a combination of tension and shear. In order to enhance the structural behavior of the connection, a bent shaped stud was proposed to increase the pull-out strength of the concrete slab. Test results showed that it is adequate to use Eurocode-4 for the evaluation of a shear connection which satisfies the requirement of minimum stud spacing specified in Eurocode-4. Since the shear load is concentrated at the joint structure of composite truss bridges, additional confining reinforcements are needed to enhance the horizontal shear strength of the shear connection. The design provision on the interaction of tension and shear for the joint structure gave conservative results. When the pyramid failure surface was assumed, internal studs had little effect on the pull-out strength of the joint. Constructability of the joint can be enhanced by decreasing the number of connectors and by strengthening the concrete slab through simplified design checks assuming four failure modes and their interactions.