CRESTED SHEAR CONNECTORS APPLICATION TO COMBINE REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB AND PLANK-NAILED STRUCTURE OF BRIDGE SPAN

Abstract

Introduction. The construction of bridges using timber materials is experiencing a real boom throughout the world .The USA is considered to be a leader, where 80% of the bridges are made of timber or materials based on it. In Russia timber bridge construction has been stagnating for the last 50 years, although there is a need for these bridges. Timber structures could solve many problems with Russian roads, especially in remote areas. Timber structures are widely considered to be outdated, so they cannot meet current requirements of load capacity and durability, also they are vulnerable to atmospheric influences, etc. But foreign experience proves the contrary. The article is devoted to the implementation of new plank-nailed spans that meet current requirements of load capacity, reliability and durability.Materials and methods. The authors suggest and describe a new span structure. The span consists of planktimber- nailed-dowel blocks and a reinforced concrete slab generating a composite action. Some special crested shear connectors are suggested as combining elements. The top part works as flexible shear connectors in a reinforced concrete slab. The bottom part works as dowels with steel joints and timbers structures. The investigation of the stress-strain state of the structure has been completed within “compound beam” theory.Results. The application of the cast-in-place reinforced concrete slab allows to protect supporting timber structures against atmospheric influences, dirt, cracking from the sun rays, radiation and provides at least 50-year durability. The timber preservation provides a specified service life. The application of suggested connection with composite action between a reinforced concrete slab and supporting timber structures increases effectiveness of the composite timber concrete structure compared to steel and reinforced concrete structures. Trans-Baikal territory, Irkutsk and Arkhangelsk Regions, Khabarovsk Territory, the Republics of Sakha (Yakutia), Buriatia, Karelia are in the greatest need of the timber concrete composite spans, because they have a lot of forest resources and old timber bridges that are still in service.