Composite Constructions of Timber and High-Performance Concrete

Abstract

Currently Timber-Concrete Composite (TCC) Constructions are often applied for strengthening existing timber beam slabs. The load bearing capacity of the composite construction is primarily affected by the material properties of the timber beam and the concrete slab. But the type of bond between both parts is also of high importance. The concrete slab has to perform several tasks, not only in load carrying direction of the ceiling but also perpendicular to the direction of span or for stiffening the whole building. These tasks will be pointed out in this paper. Furthermore the working process (easy workable mixture and exchange of conventional reinforcement) and the dead load of the construction are of particular interest in the field of redevelopment. Several innovative concretes have been verified for the use in TCC constructions. Regarding their fresh and hardened concrete properties, they all can be described as High Performance Concretes (HPC). In this paper Self Compacting Concrete (SCC), Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC), Structural Lightweight Concrete (SLWC), High Strength Concrete (HSC) or combinations of them will be focused. Especially the advantages but also the disadvantages of innovative concretes for the use in TCC will be presented as well as the results of some experimental investigations.