You are on page 1of 4

1/6/23, 4:07 PM Shear Studs

A Beginner's Guide to the Steel Construction Manual, 13th ed. (old)

Chapter 10 - Composite Beams


© 2006, 2007, 2008  T. Bartlett Quimby
 
Introduction
Section 10.5
Mechanics of
Composite Shear Connector Design
Behavior
Last Revised: 11/04/2014

Shear Strength SCM Section I3.2d specifies the shear force, V', that either can be, or is to be,
transferred between the concrete and steel.  This shear force is transferred
Flexural Strength between the beam and slab over a length from the location of maximum
moment (where the internal forces are the greatest) and point of zero
moment.  Figure 10.5.1 illustrates the force on a free body diagram of a
Design of Shear portion of a beam located between the zero moment location and the
Connectors maximum positive moment.

Figure 10.5.1
Deflection
FBD of a Partial Beam
Calculations Click on hotlinks in the image for larger views

Design Process

Example
Problems

Homework
Problems

References

Report Errors or
Make Suggestions
Purchase Hard
Copy

Make Donation

https://www.bgstructuralengineering.com/BGSCM13/BGSCM010/BGSCM01005.htm#:~:text=This means that the clear,the head of the stud. 1/4


1/6/23, 4:07 PM Shear Studs

By statics, V' equals Cc and/or Ts.  When the plastic neutral axis is in the steel
beam, Cc is at its maximum value (Cc = .85f'cAc) since Ac is at its maximum
value.   When the plastic neutral axis is in the slab, Ts is at its maximum value
(Ts = AgFy) since the entire section is in tension.  Since Cc always equals Ts
when the plastic neutral axis is in the slab and is at its maximum when the
plastic neutral axis is located in the beam, the maximum value of V' will be the
lesser of the maximum values of Cc or Ts.  The smaller value controls.

Note that a free body of the other part of the beam to the right of the
maximum moment would show that V' must also be developed on that side of
the maximum moment as well.

For a section to be "fully composite" the shear connectors must provide


strength that equals or exceeds the maximum V' resulting from concrete
crushing (Ccmax) or tensile yielding (Tsmax) as discussed above.  If the shear
strength provided by the shear connectors (V' = sum of the strength of the
shear connectors located between the location of maximum and zero
moments) is less than what can be developed by concrete crushing or tensile
yielding then the section is said to be "partially composite" and it's strength
must be determined by the limit imposed by the shear connector strength.

https://www.bgstructuralengineering.com/BGSCM13/BGSCM010/BGSCM01005.htm#:~:text=This means that the clear,the head of the stud. 2/4


1/6/23, 4:07 PM Shear Studs

Design of Shear Connectors for Fully Composite Strength

When designing the shear connectors the total shear strength provided
between zero and maximum positive moment locations is the sum of the shear
strengths of all the shear connectors in that region.  This value is
mathematically expressed in SCM equation I3-1c.

V' = S Qn

The computation of the shear strength of a single connector is addressed in


SCM I3.2d(3) for studs and SCM I3.2d(4) for channel shear connectors. 

Stud Shear Connectors

Figure 10.2.1 has a series of images of typical shear studs on a steel beam. 
The capacity of a stud to transfer shear is limited either by the shear strength
of the stud or the strength of the concrete in contact with and surrounding the
stud.  SCM Equation I3-3 reflects these two limits.  The equation can be
written as:

Qn = minimum( 0.5 Asc sqrt(f'c Ec), RgRpAscFu)

The definitions of the variables are given in SCM I3.2d(3).  You should review
these terms.  A commonly used value of Fu for available studs is 65 ksi.  This
value is to be verified with the supplier of the studs during the design process.

SCM Table 3-21 (SCM pg 3-207) lists Qn values of commonly used studs and
concrete strengths.

Channel Shear Connectors

Channel shear connectors are small channel sections welded to the top flange
of the beam. The channels are arranged so that they are transverse to the
beam axis.  These shear connectors are not typically used in conjunction with
steel decking.  The equation for the nominal strength of a channel shear
connector involves terms from the steel and the concrete.  SCM equation I3-4
is used to compute the strength of a channel shear connector.

Required Number of Connectors

For full composite action, the number of shear connectors is determined by


writing a design inequality where the strength provided the shear connectors
equals or exceeds that maximum V' provided by the steel or concrete.

(num. connectors)*Qn > min(Ccmax, Tsmax)

num. connectors > min(Ccmax, Tsmax)/Qn

This computation provides us with the number of connectors required between


the location of zero and maximum moment.  This is HALF the total number
of connectors required since the same number is required on the other side
of the moment diagram.
https://www.bgstructuralengineering.com/BGSCM13/BGSCM010/BGSCM01005.htm#:~:text=This means that the clear,the head of the stud. 3/4
1/6/23, 4:07 PM Shear Studs

Size and Spacing of Connectors

SCM I3.2d(6) requires that the connectors be spaced uniformly along the
flange between the locations of zero and maximum moment. 

There are also some other limits that must be met for shear stud connectors:

a. The diameter of the stud, dsc, cannot exceed 2.5 times the thickness of
the beam flange (dsc < 2.5 tf).
b. There must be at least 1" of lateral concrete cover.  This means that the
clear distance between studs must be at least 1".  The smallest center-
to-center distance equals 1" plus the diameter of the head of the stud.
c. The longitudinal center-to-center stud spacing along the beam axis must
be greater than or equal to 6 dsc, except within ribs of steel decking, the
spacing must be greater than or equal to 4 dsc.
d. The transverse center-to-center stud spacing on the beam flange must
be greater than or equal to 4 dsc.
e. The maximum center-to-center spacing of studs < min( 8*slab thickness,
36 in).

<<< Previous Section <<<        >>> Next Section >>>

https://www.bgstructuralengineering.com/BGSCM13/BGSCM010/BGSCM01005.htm#:~:text=This means that the clear,the head of the stud. 4/4

You might also like