Engineering Failure Analysis 41 (2014) 124–134

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Engineering Failure Analysis

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/engfailanal

Fatigue energy dissipation and failure analysis of angle shear

connectors embedded in high strength concrete
Mahdi Shariati ⇑, Ali Shariati, N.H. Ramli Sulong, Meldi Suhatril, M.M. Arabnejad Khanouki
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: To inspect the fatigue energy dissipation of angle shear connectors under fully reversed
Available online 13 March 2014 cyclic fatigue loading while embedded in a high strength concrete (HSC) slab, a series of
experimental push-out tests was conducted. The experimental tests comprised eight
Keywords: push-out test specimens with different geometries of angle connector. The failure of the
Fatigue loading angle connector under monotonic and low cyclic fatigue loading was tested and the obser-
Energy dissipation vations were discussed. The results show that the ductility performance for angle shear
Failure analysis
connectors embedded in HSC was inadequate. However, reasonable strength resistance
Angle shear connector
Push-out test
under monotonic loading and a small amount of fatigue energy dissipation under cyclic
fatigue loading for connector was detected. All push-out test specimens experienced con-
nector fracture failure with very low energy dissipation when subjected to fatigue loading.
Details of the failure analysis and fatigue energy dissipation of the angles in HSC are fully
described in the results.
Ó 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction

A shear connector is the part that guarantees the shear exchange between the steel profile and the concrete slab in a com-
posite construction [1]. The most normally utilized sorts of shear connectors as a part of steel–concrete composite beams are
headed shear studs and Perfobond shear connectors [2,3]. However, when it comes to composite beams, C-shaped shear con-
nectors, for instance channels and angles, have become increasingly more common over the last decade.
Because of the restrictions in the execution of headed studs and Perfobond shear connectors, the utilization of C-shaped
shear connectors as an alternative to the normally utilized sorts of shear connector has been proposed. Such restrictions in-
clude a number of constraints in the fatigue behaviour of studs. As a case in point, because of the welds and the need to have
specific welding equipment with high power generation on site, and the occurrence of fatigue cracks under cyclic fatigue
loading [3–5]. The issue with Perfobond shear connectors is the trouble in positioning the section for the slab for lower rein-
forcement as the steel bars have to cross the connector openings [6] which requires the drilling of holes. Hence, production
takes a longer time and requires higher cost.
In addition, assembling of the C-shaped shear connectors is simpler compared to alternate connectors, since, in most steel
shops, standard sizes for hot rolled steel profiles of C-shaped shear connectors are available. In addition, their production is
very easy and simple, and, by simple cutting of the long steel profiles, these sorts of connector can be effortlessly produced.

⇑ Corresponding author. Tel.: +60 17 243 4142.

E-mail addresses: shariati@siswa.um.edu.my, shariatimehdi@yahoo.com (M. Shariati).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2014.02.017
1350-6307/Ó 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
 M. Shariati et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 41 (2014) 124–134 125

In comparison to the headed stud and Perfobond connectors, the assembly cost and time for producing C-shaped connectors
are fundamentally lower.
With regard to the load carrying capacity, C-shaped connectors show higher capacity, and, with the utilization of a con-
ventional reliable welding system, they could be welded effortlessly to steel beams [6]. While stud connectors may require a
few inspections (e.g. bending test), this is not required for C-shaped connectors. Similarly, the utilization of C-shaped con-
nectors eases the positioning of the slab for lower reinforcement which is recognized as a problem in the application of
Profobond connectors [5,7]. The restrictions and trouble encountered when utilizing the headed studs and Profobond shear
connectors in composite beams could be overcome with the utilization of C-shaped connectors.
As previously mentioned, the C-shaped shear connectors might be easily produced with angle and channel profiles. The
angle connectors, compared to the channel connectors, could be less expensive and more practical because of the lack of one
flange compared to the channel connector, which, ultimately, saves more steel. Fig. 1 shows this type of shear connector.
To date, there have been various studies concerning the performance of angle connectors. Rao [8] depicted the essential
outcomes of the push-out tests directed on specimens with some types of shear connector including the angle shear connec-
tors. Their outcomes demonstrated that C-shaped shear connectors, including angle connectors, showed significant adapt-
ability and greater load carrying capacity compared to different sorts of shear connector.
The ultimate strength and deformation of different types of shear connector in composite members, including angles,
channels, and T-shaped shear connectors were also examined in a study conducted by Hiroshi and Kiyomiya [9]. It was con-
cluded that in the push-out test, the mode of failure of the samples was greatly affected by the strength of concrete, the
shape of the shear connectors and the direction of the shear connectors.
Choi et al. [10,11] investigated the fatigue strength of the welded joints between the bottom plate and the angle shear
connectors in steel–concrete composite slabs through fatigue tests and finite element analysis. Based on their results, it
was verified that at the welded joint, the stress level was low and significantly less than the fatigue limit.
Fukuzawa et al. [12] carried out a wheel trucking test on composite slabs made with the angle shear connectors. The
study was conducted to determine the applicability of the angle connectors in continuous composite steel girders and their
performance under moving load conditions. The outcome of the research indicated that the composite slabs exhibited suf-
ficient stiffness and fatigue durability.
In another study, Saidi et al. [13] studied the relationship between the transferred shear force and the relative displace-
ment of T-shaped and angle shear connectors used in a steel-concrete sandwich beam and presented a numerical model.
In order to investigate the shear load-slip relationship of angle shear connectors, Ros and Shima [14] recommended a new
test set up, through which they concluded that the shear capacity of the shear connector was influenced by the direction of
the shear force on the connector.
In other research by Shariati et al. [15,16], the behaviour of angle shear connectors in composite beams under monotonic
and fully reversed cyclic fatigue loading was investigated. The study discussed the fracture type of failure, strength degra-
dation, the ultimate shear capacity and the ductility criteria of the angle shear connectors under monotonic and cyclic fati-
gue loading when embedded in a reinforced normal strength concrete slab. In continuation of that research, another study by
Shariati et al. [17] was conducted for comparison of the behaviour between the channel and the angle shear connectors un-
der monotonic and fully reversed cyclic fatigue loading. The former research aimed to compare the connection shear resis-
tance, ductility and failure modes of channel and angle shear connectors to check the efficiency of both types of connector.
The application of high strength concrete (HSC) has become a common development in modern construction. Using this
type of concrete produces more slender structures, increases their load carrying capacity, changes the ratio between the
maximum slip requirement and connection deformation capacity and requires direct connection ductility checking [18].
In addition, it produces more cost-effective products and offers a feasible technical solution or a combination of both. Mean-
while, it should be noted that the application of HSC could be limited due to its low ductility. For composite beams made of
HSC, the ductility behaviour and load carrying capacities are of particular interest as well as the fatigue behaviour.
The use of HSC along with common types of shear connector in composite beams has widely increased over the past few
years. However, as concluded from the literature, the angle shear connector could be of efficient use in composite beams. The

Fig. 1. Typical angle shear connectors.

126 M. Shariati et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 41 (2014) 124–134

fatigue performance of the angle connectors is of interest when this connector is embedded in high strength concrete under
reversed cyclic fatigue loading. Therefore, the current research is carried out to examine the behaviour of the angle shear
connector.
This study involves eight push-out tests conducted under monotonic and reversed cyclic fatigue loading and separated
into two groups. Each group contains four push-out specimens and the specimens in each group are exposed to monotonic
loading and fatigue loading. The outcomes of the monotonic tests are then compared to the results obtained from the stan-
dard tests under fatigue loading. The results of the current study offer useful information concerning the shape of the load-
slip curves as well as the damage growth at the end of each cycle.
The main aim of this paper is to investigate the fatigue energy dissipation of angle shear connectors with different geom-
etry when embedded in HSC under low cycle fatigue loading. The type of failure and percentage of fatigue energy dissipation
are included in the investigation as the main target of this research.

2. Test programme

2.1. Specimen details and test setup

Based on the strength of concrete and the size of the angle shear connector embedded in concrete slabs, eight push-out
specimens were designed in two series. The four specimens in each series were subjected to the monotonic loading, and,
similarly, four specimens were subjected to reversed low cycle fatigue loading. The push-out specimens comprised a steel
I-beam with each beam flange attached to two slabs. One angle was connected by welding to each beam flange, and, for
all slabs, four 10 mm diameter steel bar hoops were applied in two layers, in two perpendicular directions.
The details of the push-out specimens were in accordance with those of Maleki and Bagheri [4] and Maleki and Mahou-
tian [19]. Four different types of angle were used including angles with 75 and 100 mm in height, and 30 and 50 mm in
length. The angles with 75 mm height had a web and flange thickness of 7.5 mm and 5 mm, respectively, while the thickness
of the web and flange for the 100 mm high angles were 8.5 mm and 6 mm, respectively. Table 1 illustrates the geometric
properties of the angles for both the monotonic and fatigue tests.
The compressive strength of concrete used in this study was 80 MPa which complies with the strength defined for the
high strength concrete. The fine and course aggregates used were silica sand of 4.75 mm size and crushed granite of
10 mm size respectively. The particle size analysis of fine aggregates is given in Table 2 [20]. Rheobuild 1100 was used as
super plasticiser (SP) and added to the fresh mix to achieve the acceptable workability. The specific gravity of the SP was
approximately 1.195, the colour was dark brown and the pH was between 6.0–9.0 [21]. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) type
II corresponding to ASTM C150 [22] was used in all mixes as the binding material. The chemical properties of OPC are rep-
resented in Table 3 [23]. Table 4 represents the mix properties of the HSC materials.
Angles with short length were used due to limitations in the size of the concrete slab. In accordance with the laboratory
conditions, all push-out specimens were cast horizontally. The sides of the specimen slabs were prepared in concrete of reli-
able quality. Curing was done for 28 days for all the specimens in preparation for the tests.

Table 1
The angle connector geometric properties.

Specimen 10050-M 10050-C 7550-M 7550-C 10030-M 10030-C 7530-M 7530-C

Height (mm) 100 100 75 75 100 100 75 75
Length (mm) 50 50 50 50 30 30 30 30
Web thickness (mm) 6 6 5 5 6 6 5 5
Flange thickness (mm) 8.5 8.5 7.5 7.5 8.5 8.5 7.5 7.5

Table 2
Particle size analysis for silica sand (SS) based on BS 822: Clause 11.

Sieve size (lm) Sieve No. WSS + WS (g) WS (g) WSS (g) Ret. (%) Cum. Ret. (%) Pass (%)
4750 3/16 in. 409.9 408.3 1.6 0.32 0.032 99.68
2360 No. 7 462.3 375.7 86.6 17.33 17.65 82.35
1180 No. 14 437.2 343.0 94.2 18.85 36.5 63.50
600 No. 25 450.7 316.2 134.5 26.93 63.42 36.58
300 No. 52 379.1 288.7 90.4 18.09 81.51 18.49
150 No. 100 322.1 274.8 47.3 9.47 90.99 9.02
75 No. 200 309.9 275.2 34.7 6.94 97.92 2.08
Pan – 250.8 240.4 10.4 2.08 – 0.00
Total 499.7 388.31

Fineness modulus = 388.31/100 = 3.88; water absorption for silica sand is 0.93%; WSS = silica sand weight; WS = sieve weight; and Cum. Ret. = cumulative
retained.
 M. Shariati et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 41 (2014) 124–134 127

Table 3
Composition of cementitious materials for OPC and slag used (% by mass).

P2O5 SiO2 Al2O3 MgO Fe2O3 CaO MnO K2O TiO2 SO3 CO2 LOI
0.068 18.47 4.27 2.08 2.064 64.09 0.045 0.281 0.103 4.25 4.20 1.53

Table 4
Mix proportions of high strength concrete materials by weight.

Cement (kg/m3) Coarse aggregate (kg/m3) Fine aggregate (kg/m3) Water (kg/m3) Silica fume (kg/m3) SP (%) W/C Compressive
strength (MPa)
460 910 825 168 40 1 0.37 80

Fig. 2. Details of push-out specimen.

Both cylinder and cubic specimens were used for the concrete compression tests. Standard cylinders with a length of
300 mm and diameter of 150 mm, and also 100 mm cubes were concurrently prepared with the push-out specimens in order
to determine the compressive strength of the concrete. The curing for all the concrete cubes and cylinders was similar to the
specimen slabs. The compressive strength of the concrete was measured in accordance with ASTM C39 [24] and the reported
results are the average strength of the cube and cylindrical samples.
For symbolization of specimens, the first two/three digits represent the height of the angle shear connector embedded in
the concrete slabs while its length is indicated by the last two digits. Monotonic and cyclic fatigue loading are represented by
the letters M and C, respectively. For instance, 10050-M shows an angle shear connector with a height of 100 mm and length
of 50 mm that was subjected to monotonic loading. The details of a typical specimen are illustrated in Fig. 2.

2.2. Loading and test procedure

With regard to the increase in service loads due to the enhanced material properties of HSC, it is apparent that the fatigue
limit state is more significant than the common material strength [25]. For the purpose of developing composite action in a
beam, shear connectors are used. The connectors should be capable of transferring shear forces even during strong earth-
quakes when they are subjected to severe load reversals that can occur in the beam. Consequently, the shear connectors
are expected to face extreme cyclic fatigue shear reversals [26]. Hence, a low cyclic fatigue load, in this case, is vital.
A 600 kN MTS universal testing machine was used to apply load as shown in Fig. 3. For cyclic fatigue loading, the proce-
dure that was executed by Civjan and Singh [27], and Maleki and Bagheri [4] was applied. The displacement control of load-
128 M. Shariati et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 41 (2014) 124–134

Fig. 3. Push-out test setup.

ing was used at a rate of 0.04 mm/s. Since the load test frame had a unidirectional nature, prior to each loading procedure,
specimens were rearranged by flipping over the specimen and loading the upper faces of the concrete. Monotonic loading
involved a slow increment of loading until failure. Three cycles at ±1/3 M, ±2/3 M, and ±M were considered in the pseu-
do-dynamic loading where M represents the static yield capacity of the control specimen, as derived from the load-slip plot
of the monotonic loading.
The steel I-beams of the push-out specimen were positioned on the deck of the universal test machine. In as much as the
angle connector’s ultimate strength and relative stiffness can vary by altering the orientation of the connector [28], this mat-
ter was considered during the push-out test. Subsequently, in the first half cycle of the fatigue loading, a similar orientation
for angles was applied to all specimens (see Fig. 2). At each time step, the universal test machine automatically recorded the
applied load and relative slip between the concrete block and the I-beam.
The steel I-beams of the push-out specimen were positioned on the deck of the universal test machine. The variation in
the angle connector’s ultimate strength and relative stiffness by altering the orientation of the connector [28] was monitored
 M. Shariati et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 41 (2014) 124–134 129

while performing the experiments. Subsequently, in the initial half loading cycle, a similar orientation for angles was applied
to all specimens (see Fig. 2). At each time step, the universal test machine automatically recorded the applied load and rel-
ative slip between the concrete block and the I-beam.

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Failure type

Two types of failure are essentially defined in the push-out test, namely the angle fracture and concrete crushing splitting
[29]. In this research, angle fracture occurred in all push-out specimens embedded in HSC, as shown in Fig. 3. This phenom-
enon was previously reported when the push-out specimen was made with high strength concrete. In this case, the load-slip
curve came to a sudden end, as illustrated in Fig. 4. As for the concrete related failures, the connector’s ultimate shear capac-
ity is related to the strength of the concrete [30–33]. With regard to the use of HSC, one of the causes of angle fracture is the
use of reinforcement in all specimens. The angle failure mechanism is defined when the angle web yields, and, afterwards,
fractures close to the welding area where the angle leg is connected to the beam flange. This type of fracture is illustrated in
Fig. 5. In this study, the fracture of the angle was observed for all specimens in both monotonic and cyclic fatigue loading.

3.2. Effect of angle length

It can be seen that the behaviour of the 30 mm long angles differs from that of the 50 mm long angles. For the specimens
with the longer angle, concrete cracking occurred on the sides of the slabs while such cracking was not observed in the spec-
imens with a shorter angle. Hence, it can be concluded that longer angle connectors contribute to more cracking in the con-
crete. The same phenomenon was also observed for the channel shear connectors, as was also reported by Maleki and
Bagheri [4], Maleki and Mahoutian [19], and Shariati et al. [15,34].

3.3. Effect of angle height

In this study, the height of the connectors varied from 75 mm to 100 mm. Considering the load-slip curves of monotonic
loading for specimens with the angle length of 50 mm (see Fig. 4), it can be observed that the specimens having angle con-
nectors with a height of 100 mm carried a slightly higher load of 178.3 kN compared to 152.9 kN carried by the specimens
having angle connectors with a height of 75 mm. This corresponds to an increase in the ultimate load capacity of 16.6%. For
specimens with the angle length of 30 mm, the angle with 100 mm height carried 112.7 kN of load as compared to 103.7 kN
carried by the 75 mm high angle. In this case, a 33% increase in the angle height raised the ultimate load capacity by 8.7%.
The fact that angle connectors with smaller height have a tendency of concentrating the applied load on a smaller area
might be the cause of this conclusion. The curves in Fig. 4 also showed that the specimens with 75 mm high angles demon-
strated higher flexibility compared to those with 100 mm high angles. A 2.0 mm slip at the ultimate load level was recorded
for the 75 mm high angles as compared to a 0.5–1.0 mm slip for angles with 100 mm height. However, Shariati et al. [34]
showed that longer channel connectors lead to higher flexibility, which is in contrast with the results of the current study.

Fig. 4. Load-slip curves of specimens under monotonic loading.

130 M. Shariati et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 41 (2014) 124–134

Fig. 5. Fracture of angle shear connector.

Fig. 6. Definition of ductility factor.

 M. Shariati et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 41 (2014) 124–134 131

Table 5
Ductility factors of all specimens.

Specimen 10050-M 10050-C 7550-M 7550-C 10030-M 10030-C 7530-M 7530-C

Dmax 6.5 7 5.5 6.5 6 6 6.5 5.5
Dy 4 4 3.5 3 2 4 3.5 4
l ¼ DDmax 1.5 1.8 1.6 2.2 3 1.5 1.9 1.4
y

Fig. 7. Typical load-slip curves of specimens 7550-C and 10050-C reversed under cyclic fatigue loading.

3.4. Load-slip analysis for monotonic loading

The safety of structures is enhanced by the ductility of the material. It warns of the approaching failure and redistributes
loads to adjacent beams. For the design of shear connectors, static strength and ductility are both essential [35]. The load-slip
132 M. Shariati et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 41 (2014) 124–134

Table 6
Push-out test results and comparing.

Specimen 10050-M 10050-C 7550-M 7550-C 10030-M 10030-C 7530-M 7530-C

Failure load (kN) 178.3 175.8 152.9 150.8 112.7 112.3 103.7 103.8
Energy dissipation (%) 1.4 1.4 0.4 0.1
Maximum slip (mm) 0.5 1 1 3 2 1.5 2 2

Fig. 8. Load-slip curves of final half cycles.

curve for the monotonic load of all specimens is illustrated in Fig. 4. The load-slip curve for only one angle was selected to
estimate the mechanical properties of the angle connector. A ductile connector has a slip capacity of at least 6 mm [36]. Un-
der monotonic and cyclic fatigue loading, the slip occurred between the I-beam and the concrete block. The static curve
shows that the slips were less than 2.0 mm (0.5–2.0 mm) in all cases. Therefore, it can be concluded that sufficient ductility
cannot be achieved with angle shear connectors. The load-slip curve shows that in all specimens, the load capacity decreased
quickly beyond the peak load. A sudden termination in the load-slip curve can be easily observed. It can also be seen that the
specimens with lower height showed a yield plateau, suggesting that the slip increased when the load reached its peak.
For a better understanding of ductility performance, the ductility factor is a good choice. An elastoplastic curve, equiva-
lent to the load-slip curve, as shown in Fig. 6, represents the ductility factor, l, of the shear connectors. Two straight lines
were designated as preliminary stiffness and ultimate strength in the load–deflection curve. The corresponding yield dis-
placement, Dy was assumed at the point of intersection of these two lines. The deflection at which the failure of the shear
connector occurred was considered as maximum deflection, Dmax. The expression, Dmax/Dy, gives the value of the required
ductility factor. It should be noted that a high value for the ductility factor causes an increase in the plastic redistribution of
applied load [37]. Table 5 provides the details of the values for the ductility factor for each specimen. It can be observed from
the table that under cyclic fatigue loading, angles exhibited high ductility for longer connectors. However, shorter connectors
were found to be more ductile than longer ones under monotonic loading.

3.5. Load-slip analysis for reversed cyclic fatigue loading

The typical load-slip curves for specimens 7550-C and 10050-C under cyclic fatigue loading are illustrated in Fig. 7. The
results of the push-out test are also presented in Table 6. Most of the specimens exhibited that as the number of fatigue
cycles increased, increased slip occurred. The higher angle connectors contributed to a greater increase in slip compared to
the lower angle connectors. Considering ‘M’ as the value of failure load due to monotonic loading, it was observed that all
the specimens resisted loadings in the initial cycle and the second-half cycle at 33%M and 66%M, and cracked in the
second half-cycle of the ultimate loading (M). Briefly, each specimen achieved the second half-cycle of M loading. The
fatigue cyclic failure is represented in Table 6. Following a specific quantity of load cycles, usually the capacity is expected
to decrease because of fatigue dissipation. However, overall, this connector has 0.1–1.4 percent strength reduction in its
ultimate monotonic capacity as energy dissipation. It seems that for angle shear connectors, the fatigue energy dissipation
is very low and that the angle connector behaves similar to the monotonic loading conditions in low cyclic fatigue loading
circumstances. This good resistance in the face of fatigue loading is quite different from the other similar shear connectors
like channels.
The results of the last half cycle of the low cycle fatigue tests was set to the initial slip, as shown in Fig. 8. Comparing the
curves of both the monotonic and fatigue loading results shows that the fatigue energy dissipation for the angle shear
 M. Shariati et al. / Engineering Failure Analysis 41 (2014) 124–134 133

connectors is significantly less and that the shear strength capacity of this connector did not considerably reduce due to the
effect of the fully reversed fatigue cyclic load.
The resulting decreased capacity due to the cyclic fatigue loading may play an important part in concrete failure near the
welding area of the angle leg to the I-beam flange connection, and as an effect of high slip and inelastic yielding in this area. It
was noted that no crushing happened to the concrete due to cyclic fatigue loading, which indicates that concrete with lower
strength experiences more fatigue dissipation under cyclic fatigue loading as more concrete gets damaged and separates
from the connector. This observation can be confirmed by considering the performance of the angle shear connectors embed-
ded in the reinforced concrete slab with normal strength. The welding temperature produces a higher strain, which is ab-
sorbed by the shorter length areas, and may also reduce the performance of the shear connectors against reversed cyclic
fatigue loading.

4. Conclusions

To inspect the fatigue energy dissipation of angle shear connectors under fully reversed cyclic fatigue loading embedded
in a high strength concrete (HSC) slab, limited push-out tests were conducted. The conclusions obtained are that:
The fatigue energy dissipation of specimens was not significantly changed once the fatigue load was applied to this con-
nector and only small fatigue energy dissipation occurred.
Each specimen failed with the angle fracture type of failure in both types of loadings. The angles always failed in the sec-
ond half-cycle of fatigue loading.
Totally, more cracks in the concrete slab for longer angles and higher ductility for angles with greater height were de-
tected in the push-out tests.
Adequate ductility was not detected for angle connectors embedded in HSC.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the University of Malaya, UM Higher Impact Research (HIR) Grant:
UM.C/HIR/MOHE/ENG57 for the authors to prepare this paper. The help and support of Dr Fathollah Sajedi, Dr Hamid Sinaei
and Mr Morteza Shariati for this research are also gratefully acknowledged.

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