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3D Modelling of Shear Connector behaviour with

Partially Interaction

Conference Paper · September 2014

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2086.8968

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Muthanna Abbu Mustafa Özakça

Northern Technical University Gaziantep University
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3D Modelling of Shear Connector behaviour with Partially
Interaction

M. Abbu1, T. Ekmekyapar1, M. Özakça1

1
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Gaziantep, Turkey

Abstract

Steel-concrete composite structures are today widely used for bridges and industrial buildings. Headed shear studs
provide the transfer of longitudinal shear forces at the interface between both components. In this study, a three-
dimensional finite element model using ANSYS software was proposed to study the behaviour of shear connectors
allowing for the concept of partial shear connection in both sagging and hogging moment regions. Behavior of stud
connected steel-concrete composite girders is numerically studied in this paper. Focus of the study is to develop and
validate a three dimensional finite element model. A sophisticated 3D Finite Element (FE) model of the composite
girder is developed. Suitable contact elements combined with the constraints are used to describe interaction among
the concrete slab, steel beam and studs. Besides, the appropriate value of friction coefficient is also used for
interaction between concrete and steel.
The present investigation focuses on the evaluation of partial shear connection in composite structures. The proposed
three-dimensional FE model is able to simulate the overall flexural behaviour of simply supported composite beams
subjected to either concentrated or uniformly distributed loads. This covers: load deflection behaviour, longitudinal
slip at the steel–concrete interface. The reliability of the model is demonstrated by comparisons with experiments
and with alternative numerical analyses.

Keywords: shear connector, partial interaction, contact element, slip.

1 Introduction
The established design methods for reinforced concrete and for structural steel give no help with the basic problem
of connecting steel to the concrete. The force applied to this connection is mainly, but not entirely, longitudinal
shear.
As with bolted and welded joints, the connection is a region of severe and complex stress that defies accurate
analysis, and so methods of connection have been developed empirically and verified by tests. The most widely used
type of connector according to (Johnson, 1975) is the headed stud. These range in diameter from 13 to 25 mm, and in
length, from 65 to 150 mm, though longer studs are sometimes used. Studs should have an ultimate tensile strength
of at least 450 N/mm2 and an elongation of at least 15%. The advantages of stud connectors are that the welding
process is rapid; they provide little obstruction to reinforcement in the concrete slab, and they are equally strong and
stiff in shear in all directions normal to the axis of the stud.
(Johnson, 1975) showed that the maximum shear force which can be resisted by a 25 mm stud is relatively low,
about 130 kN. Other types of connectors with higher strength have been developed, primarily for use in bridges.
These are bars with hoops, tees with hoops, horseshoes and channels. Failure mode of shear connector was pictured
by (Yam, 1981) as shown in figure 1.

1
 Figure1 Failure Mode of Shear Connector. Yam (1981)

A few researchers deal with the 3D finite element modelling of stud shear connectors. It is widely known that
laboratory tests require a great amount of time, and are very expensive also, in some cases, can even be impractical.
On the other hand, the finite element method has become, a powerful and useful tool for the analysis of wide range
of engineering problems.
A finite element model developed by (Lam and El-Lobody, 2005) to simulate the load-slip characteristic of the shear
stud without head in a solid RC slab. (Bursi et.al, 2005) investigated seismic performance of moment-resisting
frames consisting of steel–concrete composite beams with shear connection. Three dimensional finite element
models of the substructures were built using ABAQUS code, shell elements are established in order to evaluate
different modeling assumptions and local effects, non-linear spring elements are adopted to trace the behavior of
shear connectors as well as the bond-slip between the slab and reinforcing bars.
(Queiroz et.al, 2007) focused on the modeling of composite beams with full and partial shear connection. A three-
dimensional model is proposed, in which all the main structural parameters and associated nonlinearities are included
(concrete slab, steel beam and shear connectors) and nonlinear springs is used to represent the shear connectors.
Two-dimensional finite element models which consist plane stress elements were established by (Wang and Chung,
2008), in order to examine the structural behavior of simply supported composite beams with large rectangular web
openings. Shear connectors with nonlinear deformation characteristics are incorporated into the models through the
use of both vertical and horizontal springs.
(Sakr and Sakla, 2008) presented an uniaxial nonlinear finite element procedure for modeling the long-term behavior
of composite beams at the serviceability limit state, the nonlinear load–slip relationship of shear connectors as well
as the creep, shrinkage, and cracking of concrete slab were accounted for in the proposed finite element procedure.
An analytical model to simulate the time-dependent behavior of composite beams was presented in this study.
An accurate nonlinear finite element model of the push-out specimen developed by (Nguyen and Kim, 2009) to
investigate the capacity of large stud shear connectors embedded in a solid slab. The material nonlinearities of
concrete, headed stud, steel beam and rebar were included in the finite element model.
A finite element model was created for each of the connections tested in the laboratory by (Julander, 2009). The
results from the model were compared to the tested results to better understand the cracking behavior of the
connections. A preliminary finite element model which gives more information on the cracking behavior of each
connection compared and matched with the tested results was also created. Link elements which are line elements
with three translational degrees of freedom were used to model the steel plate, welded rebar, and shear studs.
Several FE models of a laboratory specimen were developed by (Abbu et.al, 2013) using different approaches
available within ANSYS software. A good representation for shear connectors was used, rigid link elements
extended the models with full interaction composition.
As noted from researchers works listed above, most of them are used line elements to represent the shear connector
in composite structures. Some of them used springs, which are two nodes element.
Due to the complexity of the three-dimensional stress–strain state and interaction between shear connector and
concrete, there is little success in numerical three dimensional modeling of the shear connector. The main objective
of this study is to develop a three-dimensional finite element model using ANSYS to simulate the behavior of shear
stud connectors, which are commonly used in composite structures.
The results obtained from the finite element analysis are verified against the test results available in literature.

2
2 Roberts's Experimental Test
(Roberts et.al, 1989) performed tests on several rectangular concrete beams having steel plates attached mechanically
to the tension face of beams by expanding bolts, which were either cast in during manufacture of the beams or drilled
and fixed at a torque control process after curing. The parameters considered are the thickness of plates (2mm and
4mm) and the bolt length. Test results showed a significant improvement in the stiffness of the plated beams and, all
beams exhibited a ductile failure followed by crushing of the concrete in the compression zone.
In this study, only model C1 is considered to validate the numerical model. All steel plates are (1750 mm.) in length
and connector pitch is 140 mm. A typical composite beam is assumed with material properties as shown in Figure 2
and Table 1.

P Central point
Concrete beam
load
Steel plate

150

100 1750
2400
Figure 2 Details of Roberts’s beams series (Roberts et.al, 1989)

Table 1 Information on Robert's series.

(a): Details of test beams and concrete properties.
Plate Bolt Elastic
Beam
thickness diameter Modulus
No.
(mm) (mm) 103(kPa)
C1 2 8 36

(b): Average properties of steel plate and shear connector

Plate Yield stress Elastic Elastic Yield stress
thickness for Steel Modulus for Modulus for for Stud
(mm) (MPa) Plate (Mpa) Stud (Mpa) (MPa)
2 282 208 200 487

3 Finite Element Model

As noted in literature reviewed above most of researchers used single line elements to model shear connectors. In
this study, shear connectors are modelled as a three-dimensional body with multiple elements. Composite beams are
usually made of a steel plate or girder linked to a concrete slab by some sort of shear connection, which may allow
relative tangential displacements between the elements. A three-dimensional model is proposed, in which the
concrete slab and shear connectors are modelled with solid elements, while the steel plate is modelled with shell
elements. Modelling and analysis of shear connector combine many challenges encountered in the interaction and
load sharing between structural steel and concrete components.
For concrete and shear connectors, solid element is used to mesh these parts. It is defined by eight nodes having three
degrees of freedom at each node. The element has plasticity, stress stiffening, creep, large deflection, and large strain
capabilities. It also has mixed formulation capability for simulating deformations of nearly incompressible
elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hyperplastic materials. Steel plate is meshed using shell element,
which is a four-node element with six degrees of freedom at each node. It may be used for layered applications for
modelling composite shells or sandwich construction. The accuracy in modelling composite shells is governed by the

3
first-order shear-deformation theory (usually referred to as Mindlin-Reissner shell theory). All dimensions are
handled in accordance with Roberts's experimental works as shown in Figure 2.
The program automatically constrains both translational and rotational degrees of freedom for a shell-solid assembly.
However, properties of target elements may also be used to explicitly define the type of constraint. Contact
properties have been specified between concrete and steel elements using surface-to-surface and embedment
techniques. Steel plate is assumed the target body, and concrete deck is considered contact surface.

3.1 Loading and boundary conditions

A static concentrated load is applied at the midspan of the beam. Single point load applied for the model and line
loading was simulated by applying coupled constrains on the top of the concrete slab for the finite element model of
composite beam. Simply supported boundry conditions are applied to the beam.

3.2 Material Model

Concrete has elastic properties with modulus elasticity 36 kPa for C1 model. In this study the steel plate is modeled
with yield stress of 208 Mpa for 2 mm thick. The shear stud material is of great importance in modeling the shear
interaction between steel and concrete since the region around the stud is a region of severe and complex stresses.
The shear forces are transferred across the steel–concrete interface by the mechanical action of shear connectors. The
stud material model behaved as linear elastic material with Young’s modulus E s up to the yield stress of stud, fys.
After this stage, it becomes fully plastic. In the present study, the following values are used for the stud material: Es
=200,000 MPa and fys =487 MPa.

4 Results and Validation of Proposed Models

Table (2) Comparison between FE model and Roberts’s solution.

Type of test Beam No. Loads Experimental Numerical Experimental/

(kN) values values Numerical
(mm) (mm)
deflection
C1 33 5.53 5.68 0.97
values

It can be seen from Figure 3 that the stresses flow in concrete is similar to the failure mode of the shear connector
shown in figure 1. The maximum deflection of a composite beam with partial shear interaction at working load is
shown in figure 4. Interlayer slip is calculated to be 0.377 mm as a maximum value as shown in figure 5, also sliding
between the shear connector and the concrete surrounded clearly appears in figure 6. Figure 7 shows the sticking
between steel plate and concrete deck. In figure 8 a comparison between FE model and Roberts model for deflections
values is shown.

Figure 3 Stresses flow in both connector and concrete Figure 4 Deflections in FE model

4
 Figure 5 Interlayer Slip in FE model Figure 6 Sliding between the components

Figure 7 Sticking between steel plate and concrete Figure 8 Comparison of deflections between
experimental and FE values

Figure 9 Slip along the platted part of beam Figure 10 Load –Slip curve for FE model
5
 The distribution of slip along the beam is plotted in figure 9. The maximum slip values are plotted against the applied
load and shown in Figures 10. It can be seen that the initial value of slip is noticed at 12% of the service load, with
the increased value at the increased loading. When the slip is increased, loss of interaction results allowing for extra
deflection, whereas, the slip is a function of degree of connection and the properties of material.

5 CONCLUSIONS
This study presented a novel modelling for the analysis of composite beam formed of two layers. These are assumed
to be interconnected by flexible interface connections. The effect of the partial interaction problem has been
considered using the principle of finite element.
A study was carried out on the effects of partial shear connection partial interaction. It was demonstrated that, by
decreasing the level of shear connection, the composite system becomes more flexible, with reduced strength and
stiffness, mainly for beams with less than 100%, for which the partial interaction effects are significant and must be
taken into account.
The nonlinearity of shear connection has a significant effect on the behaviour of composite box girder bridges. The
effect of nonlinearity becomes more significant as the stiffness of the shear connection decreases. It is important to
consider the actual load–slip relationship of the shear connection in order to obtain better predictions of deflections
and stresses in composite box girder bridges. The solid bolt is the most realistic simulation approach used for
modelling a bolt. It captures bending, and tensile loads. Therefore, it is the best approach to use. However, if
conventional calculations are used to predict deflections, some allowance should be made for the influence of slip at
the bolted connection
This work showed the used of a family of interface elements which, combined with appropriate finite elements,
allows the numerical simulation of composite box girder with horizontal slip, or partial interaction. The studies
Shell-Solid element assembly can be extended to simulate larger composite structures.

REFERENCES
Abbu, Muthanna and Ekmekyapar Talha, Özakça Mustafa. (2013). 3D FE modelling of composite box Girder
Bridge. 2nd International Balkans Conference on Challenges of Civil Engineering, BCCCE, Epoka University,
Tirana, Albania.
Bursia, Oreste S.and Fei-Fei Sunb, Stefano Postalc. (2005). Non-linear frames with full analysis of steel–concrete
composite and partial shear connection subjected to seismic loads. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 61,
pp. 67–92.
Johnson, R.P., (1975). Composite Structures of Steel and Concrete, Vol.1, Beams, Columns, Frames and
Applications in Building, Crosby-Lock wood Staples, London.
Julander, Jacob Logan. (2009). Finite Element Modeling of Full Depth Precast Concrete Transverse Bridge Deck
Connections, Msc. Thesis, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State University.
Lam, D and Ellobody E. (2005). Behavior of headed stud shear connectors in composite beam. Journal of Structural
Engineering, ASCE,131(1), pp.96_107.
Nguyen, Huu Thanh and Seung Eock Kim (2009). Finite element modelling of push-out tests for large stud shear
connectors, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 65, pp.1909_1920.
Queiroza, F.D. and P.C.G.S. Vellascob, D.A. Nethercota. (2007). Finite element modelling of composite beams with
full and partial shear connection. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 63, pp.505–521.
Roberts, T.M. and Kazemi,H.H. (1989). Strengthening of Under-Reinforced Concrete Beams with Mechanically
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