Test and Simulation of the Shear Resistance of the Composite Deck Using Reinforcement Frame as the Shear Connector

This paper develops a novel reinforcement frame as the shear connector in the composite deck, which was expected to deliver large pre-pouring stiffness. To investigate its shear resistance, nine specimens were designed, including eight specimens using a reinforcement frame and one comparative specimen using classic headed shear studs. The pre-pouring stiffness of all the specimens was tested by hanging weight. Compared with the classic headed shear studs, the reinforcement frame significantly enhanced the pre-pouring stiffness of the composite deck hundreds of times. The four-point bending tests were performed to obtain the shear resistance of the composite deck. The composite decks using the reinforcement frame could achieve the same or even larger load-carrying capacity with those using headed shear studs. The wave-shaped rebar effectively limited the diagonal cracking. Based on physical testing, the finite-element model was developed and provided good agreement with the test results. The influence of the design parameters on the pre-pouring stiffness and ultimate shear resistance is discussed. Based on the physical tests and finite-element analysis, the demarcation condition for the two typical failure modes is observed.