steel-concrete bridges - 2004

13. Shear connection between concrete and steel components

13.1 Types of shear connections

There are many variances of shear connections, such as the headed studs, hoops, block connections, perfobond,
angle connectors, etc. The dowel type that is applied by far most often is the headed stud.

Fig. 88. Examples of shear connectors.

When using shear connectors, attention must be paid to demands regarding:

- design aspects, such as static strength and fatigue strength (of both the connector and the flange of the
steel girder)
- assembling aspects, such as demand positioning (especially when the connector is considered a stability
provider for the flange of the steel girder).

A relatively new development in the realm of joints is the Perfobond-strip, which is a plate strip with holes at
small mutual distances. This strip is welded with a fillet weld onto the steel structure in longitudinal direction.
These small welds have, compared with the welds of headed studs, less influence on the steel structure, due to
their smaller heat input and the continuous weld. The load transition takes place through the concrete in the holes
of the strip. In contrast with the steel dowels, the load on shear at these concrete dowels takes place over two
planes. These concrete dowels are encased in the holes. This causes a three-dimensional stress field in and
around the holes, by which more compression can be allowed and therefore an increased shear resistance.
Further, the Perfobond-strip prevents the concrete to loosen itself from the steel structure. The shear force
capacity of the Perfobond-strip can be increased by applying reinforcement steel in transverse direction. This
steel will then be lying in the holes or in especially applied spacings at the topside of the Perfobond-strip. An
important advantage of the Perfobond-strip is the fatigue resistance.
Yielding of the Perfobond-strip can be caused by three possible mechanisms, viz.:
- shear of the welds
- shear of the smallest steel cross section between the holes
- shear of the concrete dowels
When dimensioning the strip, the second mechanism is chosen, so that sudden yielding of the joint without
warning is prevented.

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13.2 Headed studs

The strength and the stiffness of a steel-concrete girder is, as far as the headed studs are concerned, determined
by the following properties:
- strength
- stiffness
- deformation capacity
The strength (yield load) can be determined by three criteria, viz.:
- yielding of the dowel
- local yielding of the concrete by the dowel (concrete failure)
- shear of the concrete along the decisive shear plane

When designing headed studs, the three testing criteria should be taken into account: ULS-static strength, ULS
fatigue strength and SLS.

ULS-static strength: failure of headed stud or concrete

Design shear resistance stud:

Design resistance concrete:

c h
PRd = 0,8 f u d 2 / 4 / V

PRd = 0,29d 2 f ck Ecm / V

with

PRd = design resistance

d = diameter of the stud 25 mm
fu = ultimate tensile strength of the stud ( 500 N/mm2 )
= 0,2((h/d)+1) when 3 h/d 4
(reduction factor on strength is length of the stud < 4 x diameter)
= 1 when h/d >4
h is the overall height of the stud
V = 1,25 (enkel bij ULS)

The general expression for the shear force per unit length is: Vd Sbeton
nv =
with: I drsn
nv = shear force per unit length
Vd = design longitudinal shear force
S beton = static section modulus of the concrete slab
taken into account the effective width b eff and n-factor
(Sbeton = Abeton * db / n), where db = distance between neutral axes of concrete slab and
composite cross section
Idrsn = second moment of area of the composite cross section.

When the stud is loaded in both longitudinal and transverse directions, the resultant of this has to be taken as a
basis. Regarding placing of studs, requirements have been made with a view to a certain extent of a uniform
distribution. For this, the same information holds as given at Service Limit State, see hereafter, in which,
however, the PRk is replaced by 0,6PRk and V = 1,25.

Calculation example : (ULS-fase)

713 kN/m
396 kN/m

x
Fig. 89. Distribution of shear force along
the length of the cross beam.

4,15 m 4,15 m
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Determined is the dowel distribution (number of dowels) over the first length of 4.15 m.
The studs used are: h = 125mm, d = 22,2mm, d head = 35mm and fu = 360N/mm2

h/d = 5,6, so =1,0

Design resistance to longitudinal shear:

b g 2,22
2
1
PRd = 0,8 fu d / 4 / V = 0,8 36 = 89,4 kN
2

4 1,25

Design resistance concrete: concrete C 30/37:

1
PRd = 0,29d fck Ecm / V = 0,29 2 ,22 3.0 3200 = 112 ,0 kN
2 2

1,25

Decisive: PRd = 89,4kN

Dowel distribution over the first length of 2,24m, T1 =713kN/m

0,9 T1 l1 0,9 713 2,24

n= = = 16,1 resulting into n = 17
PR d 89,4
Dowel distribution over the second length of 1,91m

1,91
T2 = ( 713 396) + 396 = 542 kN / m
4,15
0,9 T2 l 2 0,9 542 1,91
n= = = 10,5 resulting into n = 11
PRd 89,4

Total shear capacity:

Vl,Rd = (17+11)*89,4 = 2503kN

Total shear force:

0,5*4,15*(396+713)=2301kN

The demand that 2503 kN > 2301 kN is met.

SLS-criteria

Distribution of the dowels

As a starting point for testing the fatigue strength of studs in conformance with the calculation rules given in
ENV 1994-2: 1997 is valid that a certain extent of a uniform (an equal) distribution of dowels should be met, viz.
that a uniform distribution of dowels may be maintained, provided that the design longitudinal shear per unit of
length does not exceed 10% of the design shear resistance, in which the design shear resistance is based on
0,6PRk . For the strength PRk of a stud, the value of the value PRd holds, related to V =1,00.
Further holds that for a length to be considered the design longitudinal shear may not exceed 0,6 PRd N .

Design shear force

Design shear resistance PRd

The calculation is done analogically with the example given at the ULS-static strength.

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However, instead of 89.4 kN must be taken: 0,6*1,25 *89,4 = 67,0kN.

The shear force distribution is based on the load model infrequent loads.
In practice, this design criterion often appears to be decisive.

ULS-fatigue strength

General procedure when evaluating the fatigue strength.

The way of evaluating the fatigue strength is described in prEN 1993-2:2003. The general procedure for the
determination of the fatigue strength of studs is as follows:

- determine, possibly by making use of influence lines, the stresses p,max ,p,max and p,min , p,min
- determine the reference stress range p with
p = p ;max p , min
- determine the equivalent stress range of E resp. E ,. Included in this is the stress spectrum and
standardized number of cycles of 2*106 .

E = 2 p E = 2 p

(for traffic bridges with a span of max. 80 m and railway bridges max. about 100 m):

= 1 2 3 4 max

2 = 1,0 (traffic bridges, the so - called impact factor)

damage equivalence factor

1 factor for different type of girders that takes into account the damaging effect of traffic and
depends on the length (span) of the influence line or area;
for headed studs considering traffic bridges: 1 = 1,55.
for headed studs considering railway bridges, see fig.90.

Fig. 90. Railway bridges, values for 1 based on

load model LM 71.

2 factor that takes into account the traffic volume. In case of headed studs considering traffic
bridges

Qm1 = the average gross weight of the lorries in the slow lane
N0bs = the total number of the lorries per year in the slow lane.

Q
2 = m1
FG
N 0bs IJ 1/8

Q0 N0 H K
3 factor that takes into account the design life tLd of the bridge

F t IJ
=G
1/ 8

3
H 100K
Ld

4 factor to be applied when the structural elements loaded by more than one lane. E.g. in case of
highway bridges:

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L N F Q I IJ OP
1

= M1 +
8
FG
N 3 3Qm3 IJ +...+ N FG Q
8 8 8

4
MN N GH Q JK +
H K N HQ K PQ
2 2 m2 k k mk

1 1 m1 N1 1Qm1 1 1 m1

The maximum max value taking account of the fatigue limit should not exceed a certain value, namely:

- highway bridges max = 1,8 tot 2,7

- railway bridges max = 1,4

Further, in conformance with ENV 1994-2:1997, a dynamic factor fat shall be taken into account
when calculating the shear force caused by traffic near a expansion joint and a factor fat which takes
into account the quality of the deck layer.

For testing the fatigue strength, a difference is made as to whether the plate (flange) the headed stud is welded
on, is tensile loaded by bending moment and/or normal force.

If the maximum stress in the flange is compression, p,max (related to characteristic combination of actions):

E
Ff Mf , v 1
c

Suppose that failure of the headed stud does not have consequences with regard to failure of the bridge, the
following holds: Mf = 1.00.
c = 95 N/mm2 , the reference value for R for Nc = 2 * 106 cycles.
Some explanation: the fatigue strength for the headed stud, is determined by:

log N = log a m log R

N = number of cycles
m = 8 (slope of the S-N curve)
log10 a = 22,123
R = stress range

Fig. 91. Fatigue strength of headed studs in case of a composite steel-concrete bridge.

If the maximum stress p,max in a steel flange to which stud connectors are welded is tensile under the
infrequent combination of actions:

- dowel verification
E
Mf ,v 1,0
c
Ff

- flange verification
E
Mf ,v 1,0
c
Ff

The value for c follows from table 8.4 of prEN 1993-1-9:2002.

Detail category stud flange: c = 80 N/mm2 , at Nc = 2 * 106 .

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- verification interaction dowel - flange

The interaction at any cross-section between shear stress range E in the welds to stud connectors and
the normal stress range E in the steel flange should be verified using the following interaction
expressions:

LM E
+
E ,c OP 1,3
Ff
N Mf , a
c
Mf ,V
c Q

LM E ,c
+
E OP 1,3
Ff
N Mf , a
c
Mf ,V
c Q
with
E,c = stress range at E
E,c = stress range at E

Calculation example

Railway bridge, single track:

- girder statically determined, span 100 m
traintype 5: 1 = 0,77
- transport volume per track 50*106 ton 2 = 1,15
- design life 100 year 3 = 1.00
- in case of double track: not applicable 4 = 1,00
- shear stress range stud at support p = 45N/mm2

Checked is the fatigue strength of the stud neat the support.

= 0,77 * 1,15 * 1,00 * 1,00 = 0.89

The impact factor according to EN 1991-3, well maintained track, 2 = 1,00

E = fat * 2 p = 1,0 * 0,891,045 = 40 N / mm

2

The upper flange above the end support is hardly loaded. Apart from that, there is compression only. In other
words, the connection dowel flange does not need to be checked further.

E 40
Ff = 1,0 *1,0 * = 0,42 1,0
c
Mf ,v
95

For verification of the fatigue strength of other parts (like reinforcing, prestressing steel and structural steel incl.
welded connections,etc.) of the composite section, according to art. 4.12.3 of ENV 1994-2:1997 a simplified
assessment can be used. The maximum and minimum bending moments due to the relevant fatigue loading
(highway bridges LM3 and railway bridges LM 71) need to be analysed according to:

M max.f . E = M perm + M max. f

M min. f . E = M perm + M min.f

where:

M perm = the most adverse bending moment in the composite section for the infrequent combination
neglecting traffic loads
M max.f = the maximum bending moment due to the relevant fatigue load model

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M min.f = the minimum bending moment due to the relevant fatigue load model
= the damage factor. For reinforcing and prestressing steel = s should be determined according
to clauses A.106.2 and A.106.3 of ENV 1992-2: 1996.
For structural steel represents 2 1 2 3 4

Consequence on dowel design using cross-section classification class 1

A design example is given based on the crossbeam, given in fig. 86.
The cross-section properties of the crossbeam are summarised in table 21.

n- Cross-section Inertia bending Distance centroidal Static section modulus

value [cm2 ] moment [cm4] axes of concrete deck for dowel design
3
and cross section [cm] [cm ]
Structural steel A a = 214,9 Ia = 242.200 za = 61,1
Total steel A st = 255,4 Ist = 374.600 zst = 51,4
Short term loading 6,56 A I,0 = 1.344 Ii,0 = 1.019.000 zi,0 = 9,8 Si,0 = 10.646
Long term loading 17,54 A I,B = 671,6 Ii,B = 817.600 zi,B = 19,5 Si,B = 8.160
Shrinkage 17,72 A I,S = 672,8 Ii,S = 824.400 zi,S = 19,5
Table 21. Crossbeam section properties.

The characteristic values on decisive moment and shear are summarised in table 22.

Moment Shear force end support Shear force span

[kNm] [kN] middle [kN]
Strucutural steel Ma = 524 Va = 168 0
Short term loading Mo = 1.661 Vo 431 Vo = 281
Long term loading Mb = 141 Vb = 74 0
Table 22. Decisive moments and shear forces of the cross beam.

The part caused by shrinkage translates itself in a simple way by a normal force and a moment, as handled
before, and amounts to:

Nshrinkage = 5.212kN
M shrinkage = 1.016kNm

The number of dowels should be adapted to this when taking the plastic cross-section capacity over a certain part
of the girder length into account. Suppose a distribution of a bending moment as given in fig. 92.

Fig. 92. Longitudinal shear in a beam in class 1 or 2.

M Sd = design bending moment

M a,Sd = design bending moment applied to the steel structure
M c,Sd = design bending moment applied t the composite structure
M el,Rd = elastic bending resistance
M pl,Rd = plastic bending resistance

M el , Rd = M a , Sd + kM c ,Sd

M Sd = M a, Sd + M c ,Sd

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Location B, indicated in fig. 92, left, is the spot where the ratio M Sd / M pl,Rd is the greatest.

The value F, given over the horizontal axis of fig. 92, right, is related to the shear force F of the dowels with:

Fe = location B, based on bending moment M el,Rd

Fe,A = location A, based on bending moment M Sd,A
Fe,D = location D, based on bending moment M Sd,D

The dowels in the region A-B should be dimensioned on FB2 Fe,A

The dowels in the region B-D should be dimensioned on FB2 Fe,D
From the shape of the line J-H, given in fig. 92, follows the relation:

FB 2 = Fe + Fpl Fe d i ( cMM Sd

pl , Rd
M el , Rd h
M el , Rd )

The values Fpl , M Sd , M el,Rd and M pl,Rd are valid for location B.

The stress on at the topside of the concrete deck amounts to:

oc =
1,35 M o + 1,35 Mb
zi, o
dFG IJ
I i ,o no 2 H K
1,35 1661
. + 1,35 141 F 32,8 I = 9,53 MN / m 0,85 20 = 17,0 MN / m
c =
H
1000 9,8
2 K
o 2 2

1.019.000 6,56

The stress at the bottom side of the steel girder amounts to:

1,35 M
F
a z + d +h I + k 1,35 Mo + 1,35 Mb F zi , o + d + ha I
H K H 2 K
u
=
St I a 2 a I
a i, o

1,35 524 1,35 1.661 + 1,35 141

St = ( 61,1 + 16,4 + 86,1) 1000 + k ( 9 ,8 + 16,4 + 86,1) = 323 MN / m
u 2

242.200 1.019.000

Follows: k = 0,913

M el , Rd = M a, Sd + kM c , Sd = 1,35 524 + 0,913 1,35 (1661

. + 141) = 2.928 kNm

The distribution of shear force and maximum bending

moment is given in fig.93 (ULS-characteristic values).

Fig. 93.
Shear distribution and max. bending moment.

From moment balance at x = 1.27 m follows M = 2,928 kNm. There, the moment for determining the
longitudinal shear force is equal to:
1 2
M c , A ,Sd = M el , Rd F M a + F qa x = 2.928 1,35 524 + 1,35 40,5 0,5 1,27 = 2.265kNm
2

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The value 40,5 is regarding to the load on only the steel girder.
The stresses in the centre of the roadway at location A amounts to:

M c ,A ,Sd 2.265
c,A = zi ,o = 1000 9,8 = 3,32 MN / m
2

I i ,o no 1019.000
. 6,56

The normal force in the roadway at location A amounts to:

Fe , A = c , A d beff = 3,32 0,328 2,24 = 2.439 kN

Analogously to this, for location B counts

Fe , B = c ,B d beff = 3,25 0,328 2,24 = 2.388 kN

Fpl = N pla , Rd = 5.050kN

c
FB 2 = Fe + Fpl Fe h ( bMM Sd

pl , Rd
M el , Rd g
M el , Rd )
= 2.388 + (5.050 2.388)
3140
. 2.928
3.578 2.928
= 3.256 kN

With the calculated values the line given in fig. 94 follows.

Fig. 94. Relation between horizontal shear force F and

bending moment M.

For the distance between A and B: FB2 Fe,A = 3.256-2.439 = 817kN.

The number of dowels relating to this is n = 817 / 89,4 = 9,1, resulting into 10, and 10/1,14m = 8,8 studs / m.

The part caused by shrinkage ( t = 8) is to be translated to the situation:

N krimp 5.212
Tkrimp = = = 2.327 kN / m
beff 2,24
Because this is an opposite situation from that of raffic load, only the combination with self weight is considered
with F =1,0.

At the support it is found:

Si, B 8160
.
TB,max = VB = 74 100 = 73,9 kN / m
I i, B 817.600

At the end of the length considered it is found:

1,91
TB, x = 2 , 24 = 73,94 = 34 ,0 kN / m
4 ,15
The results are summarised in fig. 95.

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Fig. 95.
Distribution of shear force and normal force caused by shrinkage.

In other words

73,9 + 34,0
T = 2.327 = 2.273kN / m
2

(Usually the favourable effect of self-weight is neglected).

T l 2.273 2,24
n= = = 57,0 stuks
PRd 89,4

n= 57,0 / 2,24 = 25,4 studs /m

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13.3 Longitudional shear in the slab

An explanation is given based on an example in fig. 96.

Fig. 96. Example of typical potential surfaces of shear failure.

The length of the shear surface b-b shown in fig. 96 should be taken as equal to 2*h + s, in which h is the height
of the dowel and s the center width of the dowels.

When there is no transverse prestress present in the concrete roadway, then the calculation value for the shear
capacity amounts to the lowest value of:
VRd = 2 ,5 Acv Rd + Ae f sk / s

VRd = 0,2 Acvf ck / c

with

Rd = 0,25 fctk 0.05 /c ; of 0 in case of cracked concrete caused by longitudinal bending

= 1,00 for normal weight-concrete
A cv = the mean cross-sectional area per unit length of beam of the concrete shear surface under
consideration
Ae = the sum of the cross-sectional areas of transverse reinforcement (assumed to be perpendicular to the
beam) per unit length of beam crossing the shear surface
fck = characteristic cylinder strength of the concrete
fsk = characteristic yield strength of the reinforcement

On this basis, the required reinforcement can be determined.

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13.4 Distribution of longitudinal shear in transverse direction

If the shear connectors are placed on a (wide) plate instead of a (small) flange, e.g. in case of a closed steel box
with a concrete roadway, according to art. 7.7.4 of ENV 1994-2:1997 for the SLS test an unequal distribution of
longitudinal force on the connectors over the transverse cross section has to be taken into account. The basis of
this is shear lag of the steel plate and concrete deck.

Fig. 97. Composite bridge Veghel.

Left: headed studs placed on relatively small area in transverse direction.
Right: headed studs placed on upper flange of a box girder.

aw is the largest value of resp. 10t f and 200mm.

For the connectors located within the distance aw , x = 0.

Fig. 98. Definition and notations in equation used analysing

the distribution of shear forces in transverse direction.

The distribution in transverse direction of a shear force VSd follows from the relation:

Vsd LM(3,85F n I 0 .17

F xI 2
OP
n N H nK H bK
3) 1 + 0,15
Q
w
PSd =

with

nw = number of connectors of the same size per unit length of girder within the width aw
n = number of connectors of the same size per unit length of girder within the width b
provided that the number of connectors per unit length does not increase with x
b = half the distance between adjacent webs of the distance between the web and the free edge of the flange.

The highest efficiency is achieved when the connectors are concentrated near the web of the girder as much as
possible. For the connectors, placed within the distance aw geldt x = 0.

Calculation example

b = 2800 mm
tf = 30 mm
VSd = 500 kN
nw = 4 per unit length
n = 15
11 connectors placed at a distance of 500, 700, 900 mm etc. from the web.

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Results on the distribution of shear forcers in transverse direction are summarised in fig. 99.

70
afschuifkracht per deuvel [kN]

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
-0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.5
deuvel positie [m]

Fig. 99. Distribution of shear forces in transverse direction caused by shear lag of steel plate and concrete
slab.

13.5 Local effects of concentrated shear force

In case of e.g. a cable stayed bridge, at the connection of a cable

roadway, there exist a concentrated shear force at the connection cable
roadway. The shear force, equal to the horizontal resultant of the normal
force in the cable, needs a certain length to distribute itself over the entire
composite cross section.
Locally, the connectors will have to transfer a certain shear force
depending on the stiffness ratio steel and concrete cross section and the
position of the connection (in concrete deck or in steel girder).
If the joint of the cable is taken up in the concrete, than the dowels there
are to be dimensioned on a longitudinal force V1 equal to (t? 8 ):

LM A eFG A z IJ OP
Vl = Fd
N A H I KQ
a rc rc

Fig. 100. Example of concentrated shear force.

A similar equation holds for the situation when a cable is attached to a steel girder (t = time of loading)

LM A eFG A z IJ OP
Vl = Fd
N A H I KQ
rc a a

with
A en I are the transformed area and second moment of area, respectively, of the uncracked
composite section in steel units
Fd = concentrated shear force
Aa = cross-sectional area of the structural steel
A rc = cross-sectional area of concrete deck, in steel units
e = distance measured in the plane of bending, from the centroid of the area A to the line
of action of the force Fd , positive when downwards.
za = distance from the centroid of the area of the composite section to the centroid of the
structural steel
zrc = distance from the centroid of the area of the composite section to the centroid of the
concrete slab

The shear force of the connector follows from the relation Vl Vl

vd = =
Lv e d + beff
with
b eff = effective width
ed = distance between shear plane and concentrated longitudinal shear force Fd .

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Fd

Calculation example
zrc
A a = 140600 mm2
e
nl. betonnen rijvloer

nl. samengestelde doorsnede

A rc = 250000 mm2 (incl. n lang )
za
I = 2.71E+11 mm4 (incl. n lang)
e = -500 mm
nl. stalen ligger
za = 905 mm
zrc = 559 mm
Fd = 5000 kN
ed = 600 mm
b eff = 5000 mm

LM 0,141 + 0,50F 0,25 * 0.559 I OP = 3050 kN

Vl = 5000
N 0,391 H 0,271 K Q
3050
vd = = 545 kN / m
0.6 + 5.0

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13.6 Spacing of connectors

In conformance with ENV 1994-2:1997 art. 6.4.1.5 the main requirements for spacing of connectors, are as
follows (dimensions in mm):

where a steel compression flange, that would be in a lower class, is assumed to be in class 2 because of
restraint from shear connectors within a solid slab, the next three conditions hold:

235
Lv 25t f
fy
with
Lv = center width of connectors measured in longitudinal direction
tf = the thickness of the steel flange
fy = yield strength of the flange

235
e 9t f 100
fy

with
e = the clear distance from the edge of a compression flange to the nearest line of shear
connectors
235
Ld 40t f
fy
with

Ld = the center width of the shear connectors in the direction perpendicular to the direction
of compression

The maximum longitudinal center width of shear connectors should not exceed :
Lv 4hrijvloer 800
For the minimum center width of the connectors in direction of the shear force
L v 5d

The distance between an edge of a connector and the adjacent edge of the flange of the beam to which it is
welded should be not less than. e 25

The center width of studs in the direction of the shear force should be
L d 2 ,5d

Except where the studs are located directly over a steel web, the diameter of a welded stud should not exceed 2,5
times the thickness of the flange or plate to which it is welded. For elements in tension and subjected to fatigue
loading, this ratio should not exceed 1.5 and should apply also to studs over a web.

Further holds, in conformance with ENV 1994-1-1:1992 art. 3.5.2 that the head of a stud should have a diameter
of at least 1.5 d and a height of at least 0.4 d, in which d is the shaft diameter of the stud.

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