Development of prefabricated timber–concrete composite floor systems

Abstract

The timber–concrete composite structure consists of timber joists or beams effectively interconnected to a concrete slab cast on top of the timber members. This type of structure is finding new applications in multi-storey buildings and short-span bridges. Most of the research performed to date has focused on systems where ‘wet' concrete is cast on top of timber beams with mounted connectors. This paper presents a novel composite system where the concrete slab is prefabricated off-site with connectors already embedded and then connected to the timber joists on site. The advantages of this method include reduced cost and better quality control of the materials, absence of ‘wet' components on site during building erection and reduced concrete shrinkage effects on the composite beam. The paper reports an overview of a pilot research project conducted at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, which includes direct shear tests to failure of different connection systems, bending tests to failure, dynamic (vibration) tests and long-term tests under sustained load of full-scale composite beams. The paper also reports the mechanical properties of the connection, which can be used within a simple design method given in Eurocode 5. The economic advantages of prefabrication and the possibility of demounting the structure make the proposed floor system very promising.