ABSTRACT
Composite beams enhance flexural stiffness and strength through concrete slab contribution, relying on efficient stress transfer between the steel beam and concrete. Recent innovations, such as puzzle-shaped shear connectors, show promise for further improving beam flexural strength. However, high-stiffness connectors can elevate stress by raising the neutral axis, causing local buckling of the bottom flange at smaller deformations. Understanding this buckling behavior is essential in high-seismic-risk regions to advance the adoption of such connectors. This research examines the cyclic behavior of composite beams with puzzle-shaped shear connectors, emphasizing local buckling of the bottom flange. A comparative study with bare steel beams highlights significant strength improvements in composite beams. Experimental findings confirm that while puzzle-shaped shear connectors notably enhance flexural strength, they also induce local buckling at reduced bending deformations.
