Abstract

In this paper, an attempt has been made to review various types of shear connector in composite structures. This review tries to identify the shear connectors that are most relevant to composite structures and reviews representative journal publications that are related to this topic. It attempts to cover all types of shear connector. The article concludes with a discussion of recent applications of shear connectors in composite structures. Comparative studies, which have been conducted by several researchers, were covered to address the applicability and the efficiency of various shear connectors. The representative shear connectors for stud connectors as commonly used shear connectors in composite structures were discussed and a summary of their behaviour was included.

Key words: Shear connector, composite beam, headed studs, perfobond ribs, T-rib connector, oscillating perfobondstrips, waveform strips, channel connector, pyramidal shear connectors, non-welded connectors, INSA HILTI shear connector, rectangular-shaped collar connectors.