Composite trusses, or joists, are structural members that have become increasingly popular in the last several years due to economical and functional considerations. These members typically consist of a steel truss and composite slab that are connected by welded headed shear studs. The trusses are specifically designed for the composite application. Composite slabs are constructed using steel deck, topped with normal or lightweight concrete. Typically, welded, headed shear studs are used to connect the slab and top chord of the truss. Welding studs in the field can present problems if the chord angles, or other structural shape, are relatively narrow or thin. An alternative type of shear connector has been under investigation at Virginia Tech for several years. The shear connector is a standoff screw that has a self-tapping, self-drilling point. A number of push-out tests and full-scale composite truss tests have been conducted to evaluate the performance of the shear connector. Results from the push-out tests and related analysis are described in this paper.
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