How to speed up the construction of composite beams

Composite beam design using nailed shear connectors

Hilti X-HVB shear connectors and DX 76 powder-actuated tool

WHAT IS A COMPOSITE BEAM

A composite beam is made up of a steel beam covered with a layer of concrete – connected by shear connectors.

A composite beam can be highly resistant, stiff and lightweight in design, benefitting from the combined strengths of concrete and steel.

This combined strength allows you to design thinner beams, using less material, than when designing beams from just steel or concrete.

THE ADVANTAGES OF OUR NAILED CONNECTORS

Steel and concrete need to be joined securely to reliably utilize the increased strength and stiffness of the composite beam and reduce bending or buckling.

Shear connectors are often welded on the jobsite, but this can be full of frustrations – the need to be close to a power supply, a tangle of cables and if it rains, you have to stop. You also need to have a certified welder onsite.

Our shear connectors can simplify all of this.

With our X-HVB shear connectors and DX 76 powder-actuated tools you can use a one-step process designed to fasten shear connectors for composite beams securely and speed up the construction process.

  • No surface preparation – there’s no need to scrape away any protected covering, or pre-drill holes. 
  • No cables – there’s no need for cords, cables or a local electricity supply. The DX 76 powder-actuated tools have their own self-contained power supply (powder cartridges).
  • No certified welding skills – Our shear connectors can be installed with basic skills without the need for a formal installer qualification. 
  • Work in practically any weather – no need to wait for the rain to stop or the jobsite to dry. Hilti shear connectors can be fastened into place in virtually any weather, as long as the operator safety is ensured.
  • Use to renovate older buildings – where welding is often unsuitable due to regulations or restricted due to the use of old structural elements.
  • Tested and approved – our shear connectors are also proven and tested. We’ve been making our shear connectors for more than 30 years. They are approved (European Approval Assessment -15/0876) and backed up by 75 years of Hilti engineering innovation.

Quick installation of our shear connectors

Watch how to nail Hilti X-HVB shear connectors to a composite beam using the Hilti DX 76 powder-actuated tool.

PRODUCTS SPECIFIED FOR THIS SOLUTION

Our Engineering Services for Design and Installation

We can help you throughout your construction project, from design to installation. Choose from a range of Hilti engineering support services:

Hilti Shear Connector Design Software

Solutions for shear connections

Download our shear connector guide that covers everything you need to know about shear connect design.

Download our manual
Hilti engineering services

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