Numerical Evaluation of the Perfobond (PBL) Shear Connector Subjected to Lateral Pressure Using Coupled Rigid Body Spring Model (RBSM) and Nonlinear Solid Finite Element Method (FEM)

An analytical investigation focusing on the concrete damage progress of the PBL shear connector under the influence of various lateral pressures, employing a coupled RBSM and solid FEM model was carried out. The analytical model succeeded in simulating the test shear capacities and the failure modes adequately. The internal failure process was also clarified; the two horizontal cracks occurred near the top of the concrete dowels through the hole of the perforated steel plate, and afterward, the two vertical cracks also initiated and propagated along with the shear surface. In a low lateral pressure case, the shear strength was determined by the vertical cracks propagated along the shear surface. While as the amount of applied lateral pressure increased, the shear strength of the two vertical cracked surfaces was enhanced, and the shear strength of the PBL was characterized by the occurrence of the splitting cracks and caused the splitting failure into the side concrete blocks. Moreover, the combined effects of lateral pressure and hole diameters were also evaluated numerically, and it was found that the increase in shear strength was more in a large diameter case subjected to high lateral pressure because of the wide compressive regions generated around the concrete dowel.