An experimental study on the behaviour and design of shear connectors embedded in solid slabs at elevated temperatures

• Experimental results of push-out tests at elevated temperatures
• Evaluation of structural response of connectors at elevated temperatures
• Design capacities of shear connectors at elevated temperatures

This paper presents an extensive experimental investigation carried out to evaluate the thermo-structural response of shear connectors embedded in solid slabs. For this purpose, seven push-out tests have been performed at different levels of temperature. Considering the limited experimental data available in the literature on the behaviour of shear connectors at elevated temperatures, these results are expected to provide useful benchmarking measurements for the calibration and validation of numerical models. Comparisons between test data (also reported by other authors) and numerical predictions obtained applying European guidelines have been presented, which highlighted the adequacy of the EC4 design equation format and the fact that, when the stud resistance is governed by the concrete component for temperatures lower than 400 °C, further research needs to be carried out (because available push-out test results do not fall in this range) to better define the reference temperature for the concrete to be used in design.