Connections of tubular GFRP wall studs to steel beams for building construction

Timber and steel studs are commonly used in sandwich walls in building construction. In this context pultruded GFRP studs provides a better solution considering their lightweight and improved durability. However, integrating the GFRP wall studs to a steel frame structure is challenging, because proper connection methods are required. A sleeve connection was proposed and examined in this paper. Pultruded GFRP stud was fastened to the sleeve connector by one of three methods: ordinary bolt, blind bolt and adhesive bond. The connector was then fastened to the steel beam through ordinary bolts. Connections with conventional steel angles were also prepared for comparison purpose. A series of moment-rotation tests were conducted on these stud-to-beam connections. In addition, two stud lengths were designed in order to study the connection behaviour under shear force dominant loading and moment dominant loading conditions. Experimental results were obtained including failure mode, moment-rotation response, shear-rotation response, joint rotational stiffness and capacity. It was found that the bonded sleeve connection outperformed all the other connections and was classified as a rigid and partial strength connection.