THE USABILITY OF EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT STEEL BAR AS A SHEAR CONNECTOR IN COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

Abstract

Shear connectors are used to avoid potential slipping between steel and concrete and slipping due to deformations on concrete plate. Many materials having different shapes and dimensions are tested as shear connectors. In this study, availability of earthquake resistant steel bars manufactured in the same length as headed studs are investigated. For this purpose, 4 push-out tests accomplished to the composite beams with profiled steel sheeting in which earthquake resistant steel bars are used as shear connector and 4 push-out tests accomplished in which headed studs are used as shear connector. Earthquake resistant steel bar is a steel reinforcement bar used in concrete and produced by a heating process during hot rolling with the ribs on it to increase the adherence between concrete and steel.It is abundantly manufactured in recent years with an increasing use in reinforced concrete constructions due to its advantages in terms of ductility, weldability, adherence, corrosion resistance and strength.In the experimental section, 8 push-out tests performed on 16 slab specimens with different slab height, different number and arrangement of shear connectors. As a result of the tests, earthquake resistant steel can be suggested to be used as an alternative material for the shear connectors.