Finite-Element Analysis and Parametric Study of Perforated Steel Plate Shear Connectors for Wood–Concrete Composites

Wood–concrete composites are structural deck systems that benefit from the use of wood as a lightweight, sustainable substructure and concrete as a wear-resistant, vibration-damping top element. These systems employ shear connectors to transfer shear stresses between the wood and the concrete leading to full or partial composite action for strength and stiffness benefits. This paper presents results of finite element (FE) analyses and a parametric investigation for one type of connector: a perforated steel plate of which half is epoxied into a route in the wood member while the other half is embedded in a concrete slab. The FE model was first validated against experimental push-out tests performed on a commercial product and then employed to examine the effect of several parameters of the connection: thickness of plate; insulation gap between concrete and wood; depth of embedment in concrete; and depth of embedment in wood. Within the range of thicknesses studied (between 1 to 3 mm), the results showed that thickness predictably affects shear capacity as well as ductility and stiffness (slip moduli) of the connector. Surprisingly, however, the results indicated that a gap of up to 25 mm has no significant effect on the slip moduli, although it would reduce shear strength by about 15%. In terms of depth of embedment of the connector, it was discovered that higher stresses predominantly developed within about 30 mm of the depth of embedment in both the concrete and wood, indicating a possible lower value, closer to 60 mm, on the required embedment of the steel connector into the wood and concrete components.