Experimental and analytical investigations on the hat shaped shear connector in the steel-concrete composite flexural member

Over the last decade, there are many research results on the new type shear connectors to solve the problems associated with the headed stud shear connector. It was revealed that the new type shear connector has better structural safety, welding quality, constructability, cost-effectiveness, etc. Especially, perforated shear connector (perfobond shear connector) which has superior fatigue resistance and constructability is receiving attention among various types of shear connectors. In this study, we suggest the new type shear connector which improved the perfobond shear connector. Newly suggested hat shaped shear connector can be used instead of headed stud shear connector commonly used in the concrete-steel composite beam. To evaluate the load carrying capacity of this hat shaped shear connector, push-out tests are carried out and test results are analyzed. In addition, the finite element analysis is conducted on the concrete slab having shear connector to investigate the stress distribution pattern affected by the presence of hat shaped shear connector. The existing design equations for the perfobond shear connectors are reviewed briefly and the equation for the prediction of load carrying capacity of new type hat shaped shear connector is suggested based on the experimental results, finite element analysis results, and existing equations suggested in the previous studies.