New mechanical model to predict the load bearing resistance of shear connectors with modern forms of profiled sheeting

The rules in EN1994-1-1 concerning the resistance of shear connections in composite beams with headed shear studs and steel sheeting relies on push-out tests, which have been performed between the late seventies and the early nineties of the last century. In the recent years, new geometries of metal decking have appeared on the market with the target to reduce the volume and weight of the concrete slab and to maximise the slab efficiency. The influence of these new geometries on the load bearing behaviour of shear connections has to be verified. Amongst others, the RFCS research project DISCCO investigated the shear stud resistance in combination with such novel steel decking. It turned out that, the current EN 1994-1-1 rules need to be modified especially for metal decking with narrow and deep deck ribs. Alternative analytical equations for the estimation of the shear resistance have been derived and statistically evaluated according to EN 1990. Details are presented in this contribution.