Load-bearing connectors for concrete and reinforced concrete members comprise slab connectors, stair connectors, shear dowels and column shoes.

Slab connectors, e.g. balcony and floor slab connectors, are load-bearing thermally insulating elements for thermal separation of members made of reinforced concrete. The connector consists of an insulating layer, an arrangement of bars for resisting tensile and shear forces as well as steel or concrete compression elements. The forces between the connected slabs are transmitted through bonding or joint-lapping and contact pressure to the adjacent components.

Stair connectors are load-bearing and impact-sound-reducing connecting elements between reinforced concrete landing slabs and stair flights. They serve to transmit shear forces and small horizontal loads parallel to the connection joint and provide impact sound insulation at the same time.

A shear dowel consists of a dowel component and a sleeve. Each of them has an embedded part for anchoring in the concrete member. Shear dowels are form-fitting elements connecting reinforced concrete members and serve to transfer shear forces via construction joints.

A column shoe consists of a horizontal base plate and one or several side plates, all welded together. Anchor bolts made of reinforcing steel are welded to the side plates. The column shoes serve as connectors between a reinforced concrete column and the foundation or between two reinforced concrete columns or between reinforced concrete columns and reinforced concrete beams.

Regulatory framework

DIBt grants national technical approvals (abZ) for slab connectors, stair connectors, shear dowels column shoes. European Technical Assessments (ETAs) can also be issued.

Furthermore, DIBt grants general construction technique permits (aBG) for connections comprising these products for which there are no conclusive technical rules.

Please also refer to the applicable design and execution rules, cf., in particular, MVV TB, Part A 1.