Numerical Investigation on Novel Shear Connectors in Prefabricated Composite Beams

An innovative horizontal-arranged shear stud was proposed for prefabricated composite beams, in response to the engineering demand for accelerated precast decks construction on steel–concrete composite bridges. In order to verify the shear behavior of the studs, a push-out test was performed in which two groups of specimens were designed, and each group included three specimens. In addition, a finite element method based on the ABAQUS2020 software was adopted to analyze the influence factors of the prefabricated studs, which reveals the most influential factor, to provide a guide for optimum design. Therefore, 10 models were established, including one finite element model with the same parameters as the push-out test, and 9 models based on an orthogonal testing design. The results showed that, firstly, the prefabricated shear studs had longitudinal shear resistance, the same as conventional shear studs. Secondly, the ultimate load capacity, as well as the ductility of the prefabricated studs, was better than conventional studs. Thirdly, the modeling results were in good agreement with the push-out test results, which indicated the validity of the modeling method. Lastly, by analyzing the calculated results of the nine orthogonal models, it was found that the stud diameter was the most influential factor for the shear capacity, and the shear capacity was directly proportional to the stud diameter, while it was not proportional to the other factors. This study is evidence that the orthogonal testing design has a high efficiency in finite element modeling, which will provide a guide for the optimum design of prefabricated shear studs.