| dc.description | Over the past few decades, the use of steel-concrete composite sections has increased globally, in order to take advantage of compression strength in concrete and tensile strength in steel, ensuring its fastening through stress transfer elements denominated shear connectors. The main connection systems endorsed by the current design codes are used by applying welding as fastening mechanism to fix connectors. However, this thermal procedure produces concentration of residual stresses during cooling process, and risk of perforation in Cold-Formed Steel sections (CFS), affecting the behavior efficiency of the composite sections. In this research, self-drilling screws are proposed as an alternative mechanical system for connectors fastening. An experimental program was carried out to validate capacity and performance of the system, through Full-Scale Beam Tests. According to results, self-drilling screws are a viable alternative to be used as fastening mechanism in shear connectors for CFS and concrete composite sections. Composite system achieved to develop full capacity, even in inelastic range, without disconnection between materials. Self-drilling screws remained fixed on steel shapes without mechanical damage, allowing greater deformations, than structural service conditions. | |
