Some experiments on headed stud connections for precast concrete panels under monotonic and cyclic shear loading

The research on headed stud connections described in this thesis forms a part of a larger program with the objective of predicting the behaviour of precast concrete panel buildings under earthquake loads. The first objective of this research is to produce experimentally a concrete failure of the connection and to compare the actual failure load to the one predicted by the PCI design handbook. The tests show that the PCI shear-tension interaction equation for single headed studs can be used for the prediction of a concrete failure for a connection of the type tested. This method yields conservative results if a special equilibrium model for the determination of the stud tension force is used, and the bearing capacity of the structural steel angle on the concrete is neglected. The second objective of this research is to determine the bearing capacity of a reversed angle connection. Experiments show that this bearing capacity is equivalent to a force resulting from a stress equal to the concrete strength uniformly distributed over the concrete area enclosed by the structural steel angle 2" x2". Furthermore, the location of this force can be assumed in the center of gravity of the structural steel angle shape, regardless of whether or not there is an endplate present.Applied Science, Faculty ofCivil Engineering, Department ofGraduat