Transfer of the Longitudinal Shear at the Steel-Concrete Interface in Concrete Members Reinforced by Steel Profiles

The European research project SmartCoCo (Smart Composite Components) aims at elaborating a design methodology to be used for all situations in which steel profiles are used to reinforce locally what for else remains a classical reinforced concrete structure. In this framework, an experimental campaign is carried out to study the transfer of compression/tension forces from a steel profile to the surrounding concrete by longitudinal shearing of the steel-concrete interface without creating local disturbances, like transverse cracking or splitting of concrete around the steel profile. The present paper presents the general context and the proposed design methodology. It describes then the test specimens, test procedure and results. It concludes with recommendations for the calibration of the design procedure, including values of the bond resistance, shear resistance associated to a load transfer using mechanical connectors (shear studs or welded plate) and detailing of the transverse reinforcement.