Finite element modelling of nonlinear behaviour of headed stud shear connectors in foamed and lightweight aggregate concrete

![CDATA[Composite steel-concrete construction is used widely due to its ability to utilise the concrete's compressive strength and steel's tensile strength to increase the span to depth ratio, reduced deflections and higher stiffness ratio than traditional steel or reinforced concrete construction. This effectiveness is depended heavily on the shear connectors to transfer shear forces and prevent separation of both components. The introduction of lightweight system further reduces the dead load of the structures which are beneficial to the construction. However, there is limited research available regarding the application of lightweight concrete in composite steel-concrete construction. The aim of this paper is to investigate the structural behaviours of headed shear stud connectors in foamed and lightweight aggregate concrete in terms of their ultimate loads, stiffness and ductility using a finite element model. Their load-slip relationships were produced and compared with normal concrete. From the comparison, the stiffness of stud connectors in foamed and lightweight aggregate concrete was lower than those in normal concrete. The ductility of stud connectors varied depending on the types of concrete used. Most importantly, the ultimate shear capacity of stud connectors performed within I 0% for both foamed and lightweight aggregate concrete as compared to normal concrete.]]