Strength and Ductility of Headed Stud Connectors Welded in Modern Profiled Steel Sheeting

Push tests in Australia have suggested that studs welded within the ribs of modern trapezoidal profiled steel sheeting possess lower resistance and ductility than assumed in current Standards on composite construction. This paper presents the results from a comprehensive research programme consisting of full-scale composite beam and companion push tests. The beams exhibited excellent ductility, with the slip capacity at the shear connection far surpassing the levels considered obtainable in the development of the current design rules for partial shear connection. Moreover, comparisons of load–slip performance show that any brittleness exhibited in push tests is because of a deficiency in the standard push specimen rather than the shear connection. However, when multiple studs per rib were used, the characteristic resistance was lower than expected using the provisions in current International Standards. Design guidance is proposed in this paper for studs in this arrangement.