Evaluation of perforated steel plates as connection in glulam–concrete composite structures

This paper shows the results of an experimental investigation carried out on a connection element of glulam and concrete composite structures, through double-sided push-out shear tests. The connection system was composed of perforated steel plates glued with epoxy adhesive. Five specimens were made and tested under shear forces. This innovative connection system showed an average initial slip modulus equivalent to 339.4 kN/mm. In addition, the connection system was evaluated by means of numerical simulations and the software ANSYS was used for this purpose. The numerical simulations demonstrated good agreement with the experimental data, especially in the regime of elastic-linear behavior of materials.

► We investigate the connection system in glulam–concrete composite structures.
► We examine experimentally and numerically the behavior of the connector.
► The connection system consists of perforated steel plates glued with epoxy adhesive.
► The connector has high instantaneous slip modulus, yet with brittle failure.