Accelerating structural steel fabrication and erection
Ever since the first of the world’s all-steel framed skyscrapers was erected in 1889, steel has been an essential component in their building, fabrication and erection. Today, the use of steel in construction has become increasingly sophisticated – with headed weld studs playing an integral role. These weld studs enable construction teams to accelerate their work and increase their productivity.
Headed weld studs are composed of shear connectors and headed anchors. Shear connectors are the larger of the two with diameters of ¾”, 7/8” and 1”.
Headed anchors diameters can be ½” or 5/8”.
Metal Decking
The most common use of headed weld studs in steel construction is the stud-welding of shear connectors through metal decking onto the steel beams. Metal deck forming provides a permanent form for poured concrete floors and offers a range of benefits, including faster construction time, less reinforcing steel, little or no shoring, easier electrification of floors, lower cost of suspended ceilings, and lateral restraint for supporting members.
The shear connectors increase the “shear strength” of the structure, transferring weight from the floor to the steel beams. This method of composite construction produces a load-bearing structure that combines high strength and lower floor height with lighter weight, allowing structural steel work crews to work several levels above other trades.
Composite Beams
Another common application is the use of shear connectors in composite beam construction of structural steel bridges. Typical composite beam construction on bridges consists of a steel beam, a reinforced concrete slab, and shear connector studs [LINK]. This combination increases the strength and stiffness of the effective section without the need to use heavier steel beams.
Headed anchors are commonly welded on to concrete embed plates which are “embedded” in concrete. The embed plate is designed so that the headed anchors yield before the concrete crushes. They deliver specified axial tension and shear strength values to secure steel to concrete. Unlike shear connectors which are mostly welded in the field, embed plates are fabricated in the shop.
At Fraser Molloy, we offer a complete line of shear connector studs [LINK], [OTHER PRODUCTS FOR STEEL FAB/ERECTION], and [OTHER PRODUCTS FOR STEEL FAB/ERECTION] – along with helpful advice to ensure the success of your steel fabrication and erection projects.
