Composite behaviour of normalweight and lightweight concrete panels with partially embedded light-gauge steel channels

This research investigates prefabricated light-gauge steel and concrete panels using reliable and commercially viable shear connectors. An analytical and experimental investigation was undertaken to study the flexural behaviour of light-gauge steel and concrete composite panels under uniform pressure. Normalweight and lightweight concrete panels were fabricated by embedding 16-gauge 41 mm x 203 mm steel channel sections (running parallel to each other) to a depth of 38 mm into a 64 mm thick concrete slab. Push-out tests were also conducted to evaluate the efficiency of three types of shear connection mechanism; natural surface bonding, predrilled holes, and punched holes. Only two types of shear connectors (predrilled holes and punched holes) were used in the full-scale panel specimens.;Results show that the predrilled holes and punched holes provide full shear transfer between the steel and concrete. The ultimate load carrying capacity of the lightweight concrete panels exhibited similar behaviour to the normalweight concrete panels. All the panels exhibited good load carrying capacity and ductility, and satisfied the serviceability limit state of deflection. Thus, the proposed panels present a potential for a commercially viable composite floor system for building construction utilizing a maximum span of 2330 mm.