The Adhesive Shear Connection of Timber and Concrete Slabs in Humid Environment

Abstract

The paper analyzes the influence of humidity and temperature changes on the normal and shear stresses in timber-concrete composite (TCC) panels with an adhesive shear connection. Three TCC panels were placed into an airconditioned climate chamber and subjected to an environment typical of swimming-pool areas. Within the test, strains in two orthogonal directions were measured. A FEM model of the TCC specimens was created and validated against the measured strains. Using the FEM model, both normal and shear stresses were evaluated. The results show that the highest normal stresses occurred near the shear connection. In addition, increased timber moisture content by 2.1% caused achieving the flexural tensile strength of concrete perpendicular to the timber grain direction.