Parametric study on shear capacity of circular-hole and long-hole perfobond shear connector

Perfobond connectors are a certain type of shear connectors used in steel and concrete composite structures. In composite bridges with narrow connector distances or shallow rib heights, it is unfavorable to enhance shear connection by using large circular-hole perfobond connectors. To solve this problem, an alternative perfobond connector was developed by making long-holes on steel rib plates. In this paper, 21 push-out specimens were fabricated and loaded to failure. The main objective was to compare the failure mode, shear capacity and slip behavior of perfobond connectors using circular-holes and long-holes. Furthermore, 87 nonlinear finite element simulations were performed to further study the effects of hole geometry and concrete strength. The parametric results were generated to evaluate the shear capacity equations for perfobond connectors. Finally, an analytical model was proposed to predict the shear strength of both circular-hole and long-hole perfobond connectors. •An alternative shear connector, long-hole perfobond connector, was proposed.•Push-out tests of circular-hole and long-hole perfobond connectors were conducted.•Shear behaviors of perfobond connectors were simulated through FE analysis.•The effects of hole geometry and concrete strength were numerically analyzed.•A shear capacity equation was proposed for perfobond connectors.