Failure Mechanism of Perfobond Strip Connectors in Steel-Concrete Composite Beams With Web Openings: A Combined...

In buildings, steel-concrete composite beams with web openings save service space but weaken structural performance. To address this issue, this study proposes the use of a perfobond strip (PBL) connector in the opening area to compensate for the loss of connection performance and composite action caused by the web openings. A total of 25 specimens were subjected to experimental testing and finite element simulation to investigate the effects of 11 varying parameters-including connector type, hole radius of the perforated plate, hole position, and the diameter of through reinforcement-on the mechanical performance and composite behavior of the specimens. The results indicate that, compared to traditional stud connectors, PBL connectors increase the shear force transferred into the concrete by 13.57%-18.33%, thereby enhancing the structure's shear resistance. Specimens with PBL connectors in the opening area exhibited favorable ductile failure characteristics and improved shear capacity, with failure modes transitioning to concrete flange splitting and rebar shearing. Among the parameters studied, increasing the hole radius of the PBL plate resulted in the greatest load-bearing capacity, while increasing the diameter of the penetrating rebars most effectively reduced the relative slip behavior of the specimens.