Stud welding is a versatile process with many industrial applications. While stud welding is often primarily used in exterior or visible interior installations, it is also a key operation for large-scale construction. Shear connectors and other anchor bar systems provide necessary strengthening of a structure and critical support against stresses. If you are fabricating a system with metal decking or other weld-thru metal structures, Northland Fastening Systems (NFS) can provide the shear connectors, anchor bars, welding tools, and any other studs or accessories you need to get the job done. When it comes to thru-deck stud welding operations, NFS offers the technical support and tools needed.
Composite construction applications like thru-deck welding requires careful consideration of each material used in the process and understanding of the process itself. When it comes to the composite building of structural beams, galvanized decking, and concrete, shear connectors welding studs are key for long-term structural integrity.
The included image shows a three-dimensional cross section of a weld-thru decking application. The shear connecter studs welded directly through the galvanized decking material fasten it to steel I-beams. A rebar webbing is overlaid for support and flexibility of the final layer of concrete finishing the composite system. As a complete decking system, this composite structure can be utilized in a range of applications, but is primarily used in the construction of multilevel buildings with steel beam skeletons.
The use of shear connector welding studs is critical in this type of composite construction system. If you are working with thru-deck weld construction processes, NFS can provide comprehensive shear connectors in varying dimensions, including stud diameter and length.
For general-purpose thru-deck composite welding, our shear connector studs have a minimum tensile strength of 61,000 psi (420 MPa) and a minimum yield strength of 49,000 psi (340 MPa). For shear connectors that will be used in composite beam construction like the processes used in multilevel buildings, our specialized studs have a minimum tensile strength of 65,000 psi (450 MPa) and a minimum yield strength of 51,000 psi (350 MPa). NFS also offers custom lengths for both types of shear connectors with any of our available diameter.
Not only do the connector studs fasten galvanized decking to structural beams, they are also key in shear load bearing. The minimum tensile and yield strength of each stud works together to support entire buildings upward of 100 stories. The system of a composite beam construction increases the flex range and support strength of the building as a whole, which allows it to react to movements of the earth plates, the wind, and other natural elements; weight inside the building; and changes in molecular size with temperature shifts. In every composite structure, shear connectors are key components.
To learn more about weld-thru decking and the use of stud welding in composite construction, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 today, or request a quote online to get started with us today.