This study investigates the bond strength between lightweight concrete and steel elements in composite deck slabs, with a focus on enhancing bond performance through the use of shear connectors. The primary objective was to improve the interface behavior between lightweight concrete and steel corrugated sheets by introducing shear connectors between the composite slab and supporting steel beams. Both experimental and analytical methods were employed. Experimentally, twelve lightweight concrete specimens were fabricated and divided into two groups: one without shear connectors and the other with shear connectors. Each group was further classified into specimens with long and short spans. These specimens were subjected to static and cyclic loads to evaluate their performance. The findings revealed that incorporating shear connectors improved bond strength by 20% to 78% compared to specimens without connectors. Additionally, short-span specimens exhibited 20-90% higher flexural strength than long-span specimens. The sliding movement was reduced by 20-40% in slabs with shear connectors, demonstrating enhanced ductility and sliding resistance. Analytical validation was performed using international codes, and the results aligned well with the experimental outcomes. The shear bond properties of lightweight composite slabs were determined using the semi-empirical m-k method, as specified in EN 1994-1-1:2004, confirming the reliability of the findings.

This study underscores the significant advantages of incorporating shear connectors in lightweight composite slabs, providing valuable insights for optimizing their structural performance.