Perforated board shear connector for timber-concrete composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT Timber-concrete composites systems offer major structural advantages, as well as additional benefits in terms of sustainability in comparison with only-timber or only-concrete solutions in building work. This paper describes the behaviour of shear connections for a new and simple construction system. It is based on the transmission of shear forces between the two layers of the system through perforations in the wooden boards, without the necessary collaboration for additional connecting elements (fasteners, adhesive or notches). Tests were performed to analyse how the behaviour of the shear connectors was affected by the arrangement of the boards (single or separated), the type and distribution of the perforations and the use of slab reinforcement. The experimental results indicate that this solution has high strength values, with very high service stiffness and ductile failure when at ultimate state, which enables a high level of composite action for connection design. The stiffness coefficient varies from 283.5–887.7 kN/mm per metre. The test pieces with separated boards and reinforcement bars showed the best results, regardless of the size and arrangement of the holes in the boards.