Shear Connections Between LVL Slabs and GLT Beams: Experimental and Numerical Study

Sustainable timber–timber composite floors can facilitate CO₂ reduction. The structural behaviour of composite floors strongly depends on the load-carrying capacity and stiffness of shear connections. For this reason, this investigation characterises the behaviour of timber–timber composite screwed connections. Push-out tests were conducted on twelve samples, each consisting of a glued-laminated timber beam, laminated veneer lumber panels, and screws. The effects of screw type and penetration depth on connection load–slip behaviour were analysed in terms of load-carrying capacity, slip modulus, and failure mode. The laminated veneer lumber panels in the numerical models were connected with the glued-laminated timber beams using discrete connections, the behaviour of which was described using the three-linear load–slip models. The push-out FE simulations were used to verify and calibrate the experimentally derived tri-linear spring characteristics intended for subsequent numerical analyses of timber–timber composite structural members. The numerical model was therefore focused on reproducing the global connection response rather than the detailed local mechanics of individual fasteners.