The Study of the Pull-out Load and Shear Force of the Connection between Architectural Panel and Floor Structure

At present, various connection types are applied in construction. Some of them are designed and produced by manufacturers, but some are made on-site using available materials whereby test data of these connection are not available. Thus, this research aimed to study the strength of the two patterns of forces applied at the connection: (a) pullout load and (b) the shear force that was pushed out or pushed into the building. The test specimens were a concrete slab with cross section of 40x60 cm and thickness of 17 cm. These slabs were specially reinforced with rebar to prevent cracks in the floor (except for the 3rd type of connection device that has no reinforced steel to prevent crack). Five types of connection devices were installed into RC slab specimens, namely, (1) HAC-40 91/350F anchor channels, (2) and (3) HAC-40 91/300F anchor channels, (4) and (5) steel plates with 45 degree and 90 degree dowel bars, respectively. Test set-up for shear and pull-out tests of these connections were specifically designed and developed in this research to study the relationship between pullout load or shear force and the displacement of connection device. The results showed that the connection using HAC-40 91/350F anchor channels could withstand the better pullout load than other connection devices, where pullout failure of anchors was observed. Whereas the connectors using steel plates with 45 degree dowel bars could withstand the shear force that was pushed out or pushed into the building better than other connection devices. This was expected to be caused by the inclined dowel bars providing the higher shear strength. In addition, it was observed that the anchor-channels connection would fail by shear, where the bolts were torn apart.