Stress concentration factors of shear connection by composite dowels with MCL shape

In this paper, the authors present studies leading to the evaluation of the elastic resistance of the steel part of a continuous shear connection named MCL dowel. The MCL dowel is now the most commonly used shape of continuous connector, chosen among many others for its combination of good fatigue, elastic, and ultimate resistances. A method for the calculation of stress in the steel dowel is described in the paper. It is based on mathematical derivations followed by FE analysis. It is assumed that the steel connector is stressed as a result of a global stress state at the dowel root (being a part of the entire beam) and of a local effects of longitudinal shearing between the steel and concrete parts. Results of the mathematical derivations are confirmed experimentally. Full-scale tests of beam elements were performed with measures of strain in many points of selected connectors. A comparison of strains derived from the proposed design methodology and measured during the experimental tests is shown and discussed. The results herein presented are fundamental research which were one of backgrounds for fatigue limit states of composite dowels for purposes of implementation of composite dowels to the second version of Eurocode 1994-2.