FE analysis of perforated shear‐connector plates embedded in grouted pockets of demountable/reusable precast slabs set on steel and RC beams

Aiming for suitable joints of demountable/reusable structural elements, particularly beams and slabs, the strength of burring‐processed perforated steel plates used as shear connectors welded to beam top flanges and connected to concrete slabs was investigated experimentally and analyzed numerically. Two connection types were compared. One concern shear connectors embedded directly in a concrete slab and the other one concerns shear connectors embedded in grouted pockets made in the slab. Tests showed the appropriateness of the latter type in terms of strength, deformation, ductility, and stiffness. The numerical model could simulate the test results, even at large deformation ranges. Based on the calibrated model of the tested specimens, a numerical study on real‐size beam‐slab composite systems was carried out using these shear connectors. The study showed that using such grouted pockets to join precast slabs to steel and concrete beams results in a better behavior than joining cast‐in‐place slabs.