Study on the static and fatigue performance of MCL-shaped shear connectors

• Published in: Structures (Oxford) Vol. 56; p. 105034
• Main Authors: Li, Xiaolong, Huang, Pingming, Zhang, Weilie, Liu, Zhen, Zhang, Yang, Wang, Di
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2023
• Subjects: Failure mode; MCL-shaped shear connector; Residual load-bearing capacity; Static and fatigue tests; Failure mode; Residual load-bearing capacity; Static and fatigue tests; MCL-shaped shear connector
• ISSN: 2352-0124; 2352-0124
• DOI: 10.1016/j.istruc.2023.105034

•Seven specimens were tested to investigate the static and fatigue performance of the MCL-shaped shear connectors.•The residual carrying capacity of the shear connectors under fatigue load was investigated.•A theoretical model for calculating the residual carrying capacity of the shear connector was proposed. Seven specimens were prefabricated and conducted in the static and fatigue tests to investigate the static mechanical properties and fatigue performance of the MCL (modified clothoid) shape composite dowels. The failure mode, ultimate carrying capacity, shear stiffness, relative slippage, stiffness degradation and residual load-bearing capacity were studied. Additionally, a theoretical model for calculating the residual load-bearing capacity was proposed. Results showed that the failure mode of the specimens under static and fatigue loads is the concrete shear failure. The failure process included the following stages: the bonding failure, yielding of penetrated bar and concrete shear failure. During fatigue test, the static stiffness of the MCL-shaped composite dowel increased initially, then decreased linearly, and dropped abruptly in the final stage. The results obtained from the theoretical model agreed well with the experimental findings.