A Sticky Subject: Adhesives for Steel-to-Steel Connections

Earn 1 PDH / 1 LU|HSW

Structural adhesives are pervasive in 2026, used in facades, structural components, and even aircraft. But steel design specifications are silent on how to design an adhesive for steel connections. This talk shares research results from a 4-year experimental effort to determine the design space for adhered steel connections. Shear strength, behavior under prolonged loads and elevated temperatures, and performance in combination with slip-critical bolts are the focus of the work, but sensitivity to steel type and adhesive mechanical properties are also explored. Cold-formed steel deck connections to support framing in addition to shear strength in cold-formed steels form another core component of the research project. In aggregate, the work will enable defining holistic performance objectives for adhered steel-to-steel connections in national specifications.

Learning Objectives

• Attendees will be able to distinguish between adhesive failure modes
• Attendees will be able to delineate between adhesive connection performance based on strength, behavior at elevated temperatures, and prolonged load
• Attendees will be able to design for adhesive steel to steel connections given performance objectives
• Attendees will be able to specify a general-purpose structural steel adhesive.  

Kara D. Peterman, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Kara is a past chair of the CFSEI Executive Committee. She is currently a member of the CFSEI Education Committee, Emerging Technologies Committee, and the Expo Planning Committee. 

Dr. Kara Peterman is an Associate Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. At UMass, Dr. Peterman investigates the sustainability and performance of our basic infrastructure focusing on resilient building design, infrastructure materials, and structural stability. Dedicated to professional service, she is a member of the AISC Committee on Sustainability, Cold Formed Steel Engineers Institute Executive Committee and Vice-Chair of the Structural Stability Research Council(SSRC). Prior to joining UMass, Dr. Peterman was a postdoctoral researcher at Northeastern University and received her PhD from the Johns Hopkins University.

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