Behaviour of embedded bolted shear connectors in steel-timber composite beams subjected to cyclic loading

Abstract

This paper concerns the cyclic behaviour of embedded bolted shear connectors in steel-timber composite joints. The effect of the strength and size of the shear connector and the orientation of the cross-laminated timber panels with respect to the direction of the load on the cyclic behaviour of this type of composite connection were investigated through an extensive experimental study. In total, eleven steel-timber composite connections having a steel section and mechanical shear connectors embedded in grout were tested under a low-cycle, high-amplitude loading regime. The equivalent viscous damping, ductility, strength impairment, energy dissipation and the failure modes of all composite connections were assessed in detail to characterise the behaviour of a mechanical shear connector under cyclic loading conditions. The experimental results show that embedded bolted shear connectors have high energy-dissipating capacity and ductility if adequate edge distances of the bolts and shear pockets are provided. In addition, a finite element model of the composite connection considering the non-linearities of the geometry, and interfaces between the components and materials is developed and verified against the results of the experimental study. Based on the results obtained from the simulation, it can be demonstrated that the developed FE model is able to predict the behaviour of the composite connection at the local and global level. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd