Shear Connectors in Smart Composite Structures: Roles and Applications Across Multiple Scales

This paper presents an in-depth examination of shear connectors, covering their various types, functions, design principles, and applications in civil engineering. Various types of shear connectors, including stud, channel, perfobond, angle, and bar connectors, are examined for their structural benefits and load-bearing capabilities. Essential design parameters, such as shear strength, spacing, concrete compatibility, and fatigue resistance, are assessed in accordance with international design standards. The research also emphasizes the burgeoning potential of micro- and nano-scale smart architectures that include shear connectors. At these scales, shear connectors may be combined with sophisticated composite materials and integrated sensing/actuation capabilities, enabling structural health monitoring, adaptive loading response, and improved multifunctionality. These advances provide new possibilities for lightweight, high-strength, and adaptable systems in aircraft, robotics, biomedical devices, and advanced civil engineering structures. Research indicates that shear connectors are vital in composite construction, significantly enhancing the strength, stability, and endurance of structural systems.