Experimental investigations of the structural behaviour of simply support ferrocement-timber composite beams

Abstract

An experimental study of simply supported ferrocement timber composite members is presented in this paper. An adhesively bonded connection is examined. Sikadur 31 thixotropic epoxy resin adhesive is used as a shear connector layer. The main purpose of the research is generating data and providing information about the structural behaviour of proposed ferrocement timber composite (FTC) beams. Several parameters studied including thickness, and width of timber beams, the number of wire mash layers of ferrocement slab and the presence and absence of a bonding layer of the shear connector and the effect of sag and hog bending moment. Ferrocement-timber composite (FTC) beams are a relatively new civil engineering solution and their behaviour should be investigated to develop relevant methods for calculating their resistance. The slip and the pinnacle load limit for connector were resolved tentatively in two push-out tests. The authors examined the stiffness and the strength of the connection used to join a ferrocement slab with a timber beam. These parameters are fundamental for planning composite beam, on the grounds that the conduct of a composite beam framework is relied upon the solidness and the quality of its associations. The composite beams specimens were subjected to a three-point loading test. Measurements also show that the connection could be considered perfect as the slip remains very little during the test (except at failure). Tests disclosed excellent loading capacity of the suggested beams relative to their weight. The use of epoxy resin can be providing appropriate bonding between the two layers. The energy absorption increases with increasing dimensions of timber. The maximum increase in load with increasing the depth of timber (72.5%) when the thickness of timber Change from (85 to 190) mm.