Behaviour and push-out test of concrete dowel connectors for longitudinal shear in shallow-hollow composite beams

The shear transferring mechanisms of shallow-hollow composite beams with concrete slab cast in place are different with conventional headed shear studs and have not been investigated previously. In this study, the behavior and push-out test of concrete dowel connectors for longitudinal shear in shallow-hollow composite beams are described. The theory prediction for concrete dowel connectors without tie-bars adopted in this study was based on EN 1992-1-1 and EN 1994-1-1. Push-out tests of three specimens were conducted and the results were compared with theory prediction and published formula to identify longitudinal shear resistance. The failure of specimens and the ultimate failure load values of push-out test were proved that the behavior of concrete dowel in shallow-hollow composite beams was not under pure shear stress. Keywords: steel-concrete composite beam; shallow-hollow composite beam; concrete dowel connectors; longitudinal shear resistance; shallow floor structure.