Headed shear stud connectors are essentially a steel projection. It is provided on the top flange of steel composite structure (a bridge girder, for instance) to provide necessary shear transfer between the steel girder and the composite deck and slab. Headed shear stud is the most popularly used shear connectors in the market. The other alternatives such as block or hoop type shear studs are used for very applications that require very large shear transfers. The Shear connector are designed to provide static strength to the composite structure and can bear fatigue loading.

The Shear flows are calculated at the support ends, at mid-span, and at quarter points. The shear flow profile is built along structural element. The role of Shear Connectors or studs, spaced at a distance, is to resist shear at the respective locations. From the support end to the mid-span, spacing of studs can be varied To meet the budgets.

Shear studs connectors are designed to provide static strength to the composite structure and can bear fatigue loading.
The shear flows are calculated at the support ends, at mid-span, and at quarter points. The shear flow profile is built along structural element. shear stud design and spacing plays a key role in evenly distributing the shear flow in composite structures. The role of shear studs spaced at a distance is to resist shear at the respective locations. From the support end to the mid-span, shear connector spacing can be varied to meet the budgets.

Standard sizes for shear studs, which are readily available from suppliers and typically used in steel composite beams in bridge, or composite decks are of heights (in mm) 125, 150, 175, 200, 250 and diameters (in mm) 16 19 22 25. Shear studs are generally attached to the top flanges of girders using a stud welding gun. The stud is held in the welding gun and an arc is struck between stud and the flange plate. Arc melts a portion of both the stud and the plate in a set time.

Testing of Shear studs Connector

Generally, there are two quality tests recommended by as per the international working codes to ensure the quality of the stud welds.

Shear stud welding ring test

This requires the workman to striking the side of the head of the stud with a 2 kg hammer. The tone of Ringing tone after the workman strikes the stud is a indicator of good or poor fusion. A good ringing tone means good quality while a dull tone means poor fusion. Ideally, each of the shear connector studs that is fixed by the workman is to be checked.

Shear stud connector bend test

The bend test involves displacing the head of the stud laterally by approximately 1/4 of its height by striking a 6 kg hammer. Post the displacement, the weld must be inspected for signs of crack or lack of fusion. The recommended testing frequency is provided by the designer and is typically kept 1 in every 50 studs fixed on the job site.

Finding international quality shear studs in India

The headed shear stud connector market in India relies heavily on imported studs. Lack of clear standardization means there are a host of low-cost but sub-par quality options available alongside good quality but expensive studs. Artech has been working for the past 50 years to manufacture global quality shear stud connectors in India, and make them available to Indian businesses at reasonable price points suited for the Indian market. We provide a wide range of shear connectors with shank diameters from 13, 16, 19, 22 and 25 mm, and varying lengths. High-quality bare metal or through deck ceramic ferrules suitable to the connectors are also supplied after considering the application type.

Artech’s shear stud connectors have passed some of the toughest tests in the country. Approved by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and other leading bodies. Artech’s shear connector studs are tested on a regular basis for their performance and adherence to standards.