• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.6
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• pp.737-750
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• 2022

Timber-Concrete Composite construction system consists of combining timber beam or deck and concrete with different connectors. Different fastener types are used in Timber-Concrete Composite systems. In this paper, the effects of two types of fasteners on structural behavior are compared. First, the notches were opened on timber beam, and combined with reinforced concrete slab by fasteners. This system is called as Notched Connection System. Then, timber beam and reinforced concrete slab were combined by new type designed fasteners in another model. This system is called as Notched-Slab Approach. Two laboratory models were constructed and bending tests were performed to examine the fasteners' effectiveness. Bending test results have shown that heavy damage to concrete slab occurs in Notched Connection System applications and the system becomes unusable. However, in Notched-Slab Approach applications, the damage concentrated on the fastener in the metal notch created in the slab, and no damage occurred in the concrete slab. In addition, non-destructive experimental measurements were conducted to determine the dynamic characteristics. To validate the experimental results, initial finite element models of both systems were constituted in ANSYS software using orthotropic material properties, and numerical dynamic characteristics were calculated. Finite element models of Timber-Concrete Composite systems are updated to minimize the differences by manual model updating procedure using some uncertain parameters such as material properties and boundary conditions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.173-189
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• 2005

The paper presents a finite element model for studying timber-concrete composite beams under long-term loading. Both deformability of connection system and rheological behaviour of concrete, timber and connection are fully considered. The creep of component materials and the influence of moisture content on the creep of timber and connection, the so-called "mechano-sorptive" effect, are evaluated by means of accurate linear models. The solution is obtained by applying an effective step-by-step procedure in time, which does not require storing the whole stress history in some points in order to account for the creep behaviour. Hence the proposed method is suitable for analyses of composite beams subjected to complex loading and thermo-hygrometric histories. The possibility to accurately predict the long-term response is then shown by comparing numerical and experimental results for different tests.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.293-308
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• 2015

Interaction between the external thin-walled steel tube and the internal concrete core significantly increases the bending resistance of composite beams and beam-columns in comparison with the steel or concrete members. There is presented a developed method for design of hollow and solid concrete-filled steel tubular beams based on test data, which gives better agreement with test results than EC4 because its limitation to take an increase in strength of concrete caused by confinement contradicts the recommendation of 6.7.2(4) that full composite action up to failure may be assumed between steel and concrete components of the member. Good agreement between the results of carried out experimental, numerical and theoretical investigations allows recommending the proposed method to use in design practice.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2019

This paper assesses the structural performance (force-slip response, slip modulus, and failure modes) of a CLT-concrete composite by conducting fifteen push-out test specimens. In addition, non-linear 3D finite element analysis was also developed to simulate the load-slip behavior of the CLT-concrete specimens under shear load. All 15 test specimens simulating the effect of concrete thickness, connection angle and penetration depth with four different shear connector types were built and tested to evaluate the flexural performance. Experimental results show that the maximum shear capacity for the composite action is obtained when the fixing angle is $90^{\circ}$ and the penetration depth of 95mm for SC normal screw was used to achieve ductile failure compared to other shear connectors.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.537-565
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• 2016

Australian railway networks possess a large amount of aging timber components and need to replace them in excess of 280 thousands $m^3$ per year. The relatively high turnover of timber sleepers (crossties in a plain track), bearers (skeleton ties in a turnout), and transoms (bridge cross beams) is responsible for producing greenhouse gas emissions 6 times greater than an equivalent reinforced concrete counterparts. This paper presents an innovative solution for the replacement of aging timber transoms installed on existing railway bridges along with the incorporation of a continuous walkway platform, which is proven to provide environmental, safety and financial benefits. Recent developments for alternative composite materials to replace timber components in railway infrastructure construction and maintenance demonstrate some compatibility issues with track stiffness as well as structural and geometrical track systems. Structural concrete are generally used for new railway bridges where the comparatively thicker and heavier fixed slab track systems can be accommodated. This study firstly demonstrates a novel and resilient alterative by incorporating steel-concrete composite slab theory and combines the capabilities of being precast and modulated, in order to reduce the depth, weight and required installation time relative to conventional concrete direct-fixation track slab systems. Clear benefits of the new steel-concrete composites are the maintainability and constructability, especially for existing railway bridges (or brown fields). Critical considerations in the design and finite element modelling for performance benchmarking of composite structures and their failure modes are highlighted in this paper, altogether with risks, compatibilities and compliances.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.233-236
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• 2008

In the traditional way floors has been constructed there are no shear connectors between the concrete slab and timber joists. In this study, an existing floor system os improved by simply providing normal bolts or lag screw so that the composite action can be achieved. It is evident that the key elements in the composite beam are the shear connectors. The selection of these connectors was based on their shear capacity. The experimental study carried out in this research investigated the flexural behavior of composite beams. The experimental studies of composite beams showed that the ultimated load capacity of the proposed composite beam(LS-S10 specimen) is 1.29 times as high as the noncomposite one. Finally, it can be concluded that LS-S10 specimen consisting structural laminated timber beam and concrete slab can be significantly improved by providing appropriate shear connectors.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.201-216
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• 2019

This scientific paper provides a theoretical, numerical and experimental analysis of local stability of axially compressed columns made of thin-walled rectangular concrete-filled steel tubes (CFSTs), with the consideration of initial geometric imperfections. The work presented introduces the theory of elastic critical stresses in local buckling of rectangular wall members under uniform compression. Moreover, a numerical calculation method for the determination of the critical stress coefficient is presented, using a differential equation for a slender wall with a variety of boundary conditions. For comparison of the results of the numerical analysis with those collected by experiments, a new model is created to study the behaviour of the composite members in question by means of the ABAQUS computational-graphical software whose principles are based on the finite element method (FEM). In modelling the analysed members, the actual boundary and loading conditions and real material properties are taken into account, obtained from the experiments and material tests on these members. Finally, the results of experiments on such members are analysed and then compared with the numerical values. In conclusion, several recommendations for the design of axially compressed composite columns made of rectangular concrete-filled thin-walled steel tubes are suggested as a result of this comparison.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.103-115
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• 2019

In this study, the strength and stiffness (EI) of wood-concrete composite beams for bridges with T-shaped cross section were evaluated. Two types of connectors were used: connectors bonded with epoxy adhesive and connectors attached to the wood just by pre-drilling (without adhesive). The connectors consisted of common steel bars with a diameter of 12.5 mm. Initially, the strength and stiffness (EI) of the beams were analyzed by bending tests with the load applied at the third point of the beam. Subsequently, the composite beams were evaluated by numerical simulation using ANSYS software with focus on the connection system. To make the composite beams, Eucalyptus citriodora wood and medium strength concrete were used. The slip modulus K and the ultimate strength values of each type of connector were obtained by direct shear tests performed on composite specimens. The results showed that the connector glued with epoxy adhesive resulted in better strength and stiffness (EI) for the composite beams when compared to the connector fixed by pre-drilling. The differences observed were up to 10%. The strength and stiffness (EI) values obtained analytically by $M{\ddot{o}}hler^{\prime}$ model were lower than the values obtained experimentally from the bending tests, and the differences were up to 25%. The numerical simulations allowed, with reasonable approximation, the evaluation of stress distributions in the composite beams tested experimentally.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.301-314
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• 2022

The moisture and dimensional behaviors of a nail-laminated timber (NLT)-concrete slab composed of an NLT-plywood composite and topping concrete are monitored for 385 days. The slab is developed for using as flexural elements such as floors. The humidity control of wood gently introduces significant fluctuations under the ambient relative humidity into the slab, and fluctuations in the relative humidity result in dimensional changes. The equilibrium moisture content of the slab increases from 6.7% to 15.3% during the monitoring period, resulting in a width (radial) strain of 0.58%. The length (longitudinal) strain is negligible, and the height (tangential) strain is excluded from the analysis because of abstruse signal patterns generated. Concrete pouring causes a permanent increase in the width of the NLT-plywood composite. However, the width deforms because the weight of the concrete mixture loosens the nail-laminated structure, not because of the significant amount of moisture in the mixture. The dimensional stabilization effect of the nail-laminated system is demonstrated as the composite strain is lower than the total strain of lumber and plywood, which are elements constituting the nail-laminated structure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.231-242
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• 2012

This research work aims to develop an optimal design using Finite Element (FE) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) methods to replace the traditional concrete and timber material by a Synthetic Polyurethane fibre glass composite material in railway sleepers. The conventional timber railway sleeper technology is associated with several technical problems related to its durability and ability to resist cutting and abrading action of the bearing plate. The use of pre-stress concrete sleeper in railway industry has many disadvantages related to the concrete material behaviour to resist dynamic stress that may lead to a significant mechanical damage with feasible fissures and cracks. Scientific researchers have recently developed a new composite material such as Glass Fibre Reinforced Polyurethane (GFRP) foam to replace the conventional one. The mechanical properties of these materials are reliable enough to help solving structural problems such as durability, light weight, long life span (50-60 years), less water absorption, provide electric insulation, excellent resistance of fatigue and ability to recycle. This paper suggests appropriate sleeper design to reduce the volume of the material. The design optimization shows that the sleeper length is more sensitive to the loading type than the other parameters.