Energy dissipating characteristics of Y-type perfobond rib shear connectors

This study involves investigating the Y-type perfobond rib shear connector to reveal its superior ductile capacity when compared with those of the traditional stud-type shear connectors. It is expected that the excellent ductile behavior of the Y-type perfobond rib shear connectors can be utilized for energy dissipating devices in seismic structural excitations. In this study, the energy dissipating characteristics of the Y-type perfobond rib shear connectors are evaluated. Monotonic loading tests and cyclic loading tests of the Y-type perfobond rib shear connector are conducted. The specimens with various rebar diameters are fabricated, and the accumulated energy dissipations in each cyclic loading are evaluated. The decreasing characteristics of both energy dissipating capacity and shear resistance stiffness of Y-type shear connections during the cyclic loadings are examined.