ABSTRACT
Initiated in bridge applications, the use of composite dowels obtained by thermal cutting of profiles or plates with a specific saw cut is being transferred for floor beams in buildings. In this situation the configurations often cannot guarantee a full shear connection, and therefore a partial shear connection may be used whereas the need of plastic redistribution of the longitudinal shear takes place at the ultimate limit stage. In this case the slip capacity of the composite dowel becomes of primary important to ensure the full exploitation of the system. This article will discuss this specific topic.
