Numerical investigation into headed shear connectors under fire

Abstract

Three-dimensional thermal and mechanical coupled finite-element models are proposed to study the structural behaviors of shear connectors under fire. Thermal, mechanical, and geometrical nonlinearities are incorporated into the models. With the proper incorporation of thermal and mechanical contacts among steel beams, shear connectors, steel deckings, and concrete slabs, both models are verified as accurate after the validation against a series of push-out tests at room temperature or under standard fire. Various thermal and mechanical responses are also extracted and observed in detail from the results of the numerical analyses, which give a better understanding of the structural behavior of headed shear connectors under fire. © 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.