Glulam-concrete composites: Experimental investigation into the connection system

Abstract

Timber-concrete composite structures work appropriately when a suitable connection system is included because the degree of interaction between the materials stiffs the structural system. Thereby, it is extremely important to improve the knowledge about their connection system. The purpose of this paper is to show the results obtained by experimental investigation into push-out shear tests of glulam-concrete specimens. The specimens were designed to simulate the behaviour of composite T beams and the connection system was constituted by steel hooks - got by the division of steel bars used in reinforced concrete members - and by perforated steel plates, both glued with epoxy adhesive. They were tested under shear forces with constant loading rate. Six specimens of each group were made, considering two different diameters for the hooks (8 and 10 mm) and 4.75 mm thick perforated steel plates. The stiffness reached by steel hooks confirms their suitability for the use in composite timber-concrete systems. © 2011.