TIMBER-CONCRETE COMPOSITE-A HIGH-EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION METHOD

Abstract

Timber-concrete composite (TCC) is a well-tried building method for construction of sustainable and robust floor systems with high load-bearing capacity. TCC sections consist of timber beams linked by shear connectors with a plain or reinforced concrete slab. Usually, by the shear connectors only flexible bond between the timber beams and the concrete slab may be provided. Nevertheless, TCC slabs have high flexural stiffness and appropriate load-bearing capacity enabling their application in residential and office buildings, and even in bridge construction. The paper reports state-of-the-art and recent developments in design and construction of TCC slabs. Especially, in the context of revaluation and strengthening of existing timber-beam ceilings it is a widely accepted technique today. But also, in design of new buildings, TCC slabs are an advantageous solution because of their reduced environmental impact in contrast to traditional reinforced concrete slabs. By many examples in recent design practice the high efficiency of TCC systems was proved.