Walking test on Glulam-concrete composite floor

Abstract

Glulam-concrete composite floor (GCC) is a hybrid flooring system which adopted from timber-concrete (TCC) flooring system concrete by replacing the sawn timber joist to Glulam timber joist. The concrete topping was poured on the concrete topping with stiffness connectors were installed to prevent the slip behaviour. Glulam timber is engineered timber that has a bigger strength compared to swan timber. This study is aims to identify the vibration behaviour of 7.6 m × 4.05 m Glulam Concrete Composite (GCC) floor. The walking tests were performed to get the vibration excitation on the floor. The person was walked horizontal and diagonal from one edge to another edge of the floor. The vibration data was recorded by accelerometer and analysis using ARTeMIS software package. The first natural frequency that obtained from both walking tests, (horizontally and diagonally walking test) were 12.9 Hz and 12.39 Hz, respectively. The natural frequencies were higher that 8 Hz as recommended by Eurocode 5, as acceptable value of limitation of vibration serviceability on the flooring system. As conclusion, the vibration behaviour of GCC floor was acceptable and the floor is comfortable to be used.