Experimental study on group stud shear connection

Abstract

For the fast construction of steel-concrete composite bridges, connection details are the most important design issues. This paper deals with two kinds of group stud shear connection. One is the joint structure of a composite truss bridge with gusset plates. The other is the shear connection for the precast deck bridge. The group stud shear connection is required in the region of highly concentrated shear force. Push-out tests were done to evaluate the static strength and fatigue endurance of the shear connection. Main parameters of the test were stud spacing, reinforcement details and stud diameter. Test results showed that current design provisions for the stud connectors can be used for the design of group stud shear connection when the design requirements on the minimum spacing of studs are satisfied. The effect of the stud spacing was investigated through the test and the analyses. The reinforcement details in the shear connection are very important to achieve the higher static strength and good ductility. Design recommendations were derived for the group stud shear connection.