Mechanical characteristics of hollow shear connectors under direct shear force

The steel-concrete composite decks have high fatigue durability and deformability in comparison with ordinary RC slabs. Withal, the steel-concrete composite deck is mostly heavier than the RC slabs. We have proposed herein a new type of steel-concrete composite deck which is lighter than the typical steel-concrete composite decks. This can be achieved by arranging hollow sectional members as shear connectors, namely, half-pipe or channel shear connectors. The present study aims to experimentally investigate mechanical characteristics of the half-pipe shear connectors under the direct shear force. The shear bond capacity and deformability of the half-pipe shear connectors are strongly affected by the thickness-to-diameter ratio. Additionally, the shear strengths of the hollow shear connectors (i.e. the half-pipe and the channel shear connectors) are compared. Furthermore, shear capacities of the hollow shear connectors equivalent to headed stud connectors are also discussed.