Circular hollow section connectors in timber-concrete composite structural elements

This paper presents results of the laboratory tests of timber-concrete structural connectors applicable (but not limited to) road/pedestrian bridges. The tested elements are discrete circular hollow section connectors installed in the pre-drilled slots of a glulam. Symmetrical push-out tests are conducted for two groups of connectors: 1) with wood core not removed; no interlayer between wood and concrete; 2) concrete in-fill core instead of the wood core; waterproofing membrane interlayer between concrete and timber elements. Main structural parameters of the connectors are established including ultimate shear capacity and slip modulus. Relationship between the connector’s stiffness and ultimate shear capacity is established and failure mechanisms are briefly discussed.