A F.E.M. evaluation of push tests for shear connectors

The objective of the present paper is to propose a new numerical method which simulates and analyzes the arrangement of the Push test in order to evaluate the mechanical behaviour of the stud shear connectors. The method is based on the Finite Element Method (F.E.M.) by means of which the evaluation of the Push test arrangement can be made. The existing design methods for stud shear connectors are mainly empirical for the different proposed specimens. The method proposed herein has the advantage of taking into account the exact geometry of the Push test arrangement, the material description and the load conditions. Furthermore, time and cost required for the performance of such tests will be minimized. Validity and efficiency of the present numerical method are shown in comparison with experimental work obtained from literature.