Papers

@article{otero-chans_behavior_2025,

title = {Behavior of cross-laminated timber panels under different shear loading scenarios},

author = {Dolores Otero-Chans and Félix Suárez-Riestra and Emilio Martín-Gutiérrez and Javier Estévez-Cimadevila},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710225013038},

doi = {10.1016/j.jobe.2025.113066},

issn = {2352-7102},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-10-01},

urldate = {2026-03-18},

journal = {Journal of Building Engineering},

volume = {111},

pages = {113066},

abstract = {There is limited knowledge of the behaviour of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels in situations other than their use as slabs or walls. As a preliminary step toward implementing tests on structural-sized bending members, three types of tests were carried out on 60 cm thick, three-layer CLT panels to verify their behaviour under shear loading in different conditions. Also, numerical models were developed and relate to the observed failure modes. First, in-plane shear tests were performed. Second, pull-out shear tests were conducted on specimens composed of CLT and concrete with recycled aggregates. In these two tests, two orientations of the CLT face boards relative to the load direction were investigated: parallel and perpendicular. Finally, four bending tests were conducted on short CLT I-beams to evaluate the flexural shear strength of the CLT panels used as the web of the section. In the first two tests, the shear strength was found equivalent for parallel-oriented panels, with variations of up to 33 % in the case of perpendicular-oriented panels. Both orientations showed similar slip modulus values in the CLT-concrete pull-out shear tests. The glued flange-web joint of the beams did not show any noticeable failure or slippage, which would enable the design of cassette solutions with CLT ribs. The results of this research will serve as the basis for the design of various structural solutions, including timber-concrete composite (TCC) systems with casettte cross-section in which perforations made in the CLT panels act as shear connectors between the timber and the concrete.},

keywords = {Cross-laminated timber, Destructive test, Finite element model, Shear strength, Timber-concrete composite},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{adema_flexural_2024,

title = {Flexural performance of full-scale two-span Nail-Laminated Timber Concrete composite slabs},

author = {Andrés Adema and Matías F. Chacón and Hernán Santa María and Alexander Opazo-Vega and Euro Casanova and Pablo Guindos-Bretones},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061824016696},

doi = {10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136528},

issn = {0950-0618},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-06-01},

urldate = {2026-04-20},

journal = {Construction and Building Materials},

volume = {432},

pages = {136528},

abstract = {This study examines the flexural performance of six 9-m full-scale two-span Nail-Laminated Timber Concrete (NLTC) composite slabs. The slabs were made with lumber beams edge-joined with double nailing, end-joined with butt joints, and the reinforced concrete topping connected with a set of notches, inclined screws, or a combination of both. The multi-span configuration of slabs reduces their deflections simply and effectively. Five-point monotonic bending tests were considered for all slabs. Before full-scale slabs, compressive and tensile pull-out tests of Timber-Concrete Composite (TCC) shear connections were performed, including notches and inclined screws. Tensile pull-out tests of shear connections were also included to emulate the negative bending moments that occur in the middle of the slabs. Failure modes, load–mid-span deflection relation, bending stiffness, and timber-concrete slip were evaluated for all slabs. A detailed 3D micro-Finite Element (FE) model of the shear connections was built in ANSYS software, whereas a macro-FE model of NLTC slabs was made in SAP2000, demonstrating a good fit for the timber-concrete interaction and the load-carrying capacity of the composite slab at the serviceability range. Moreover, an analytical elastic TCC beam with the Girhammar method was assessed and demonstrated as more precise than the traditional γ-method. Finally, an accurate prediction of the numerical and analytical (Girhammar) models for the bending stiffness at service loads up to 30% of capacity is observed, with errors in a range of 2–23% and 9–74%, respectively.},

keywords = {Five-point bending tests, Flexural performance, Hybrid timber-concrete building, Multi-span tests, Nail-laminated timber, Notched and screwed connections, Pull-out tests, Timber-concrete composite},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{estevez-cimadevila_full_2023,

title = {Full scale testing of timber-concrete composite floors in an overhanging configuration},

author = {Javier Estévez-Cimadevila and Félix Suárez-Riestra and Emilio Martín-Gutiérrez and Dolores Otero-Chans},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141029623008751},

doi = {10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.116460},

issn = {0141-0296},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-09-01},

urldate = {2026-08-13},

journal = {Engineering Structures},

volume = {291},

pages = {116460},

abstract = {The behavior of timber-concrete composite floors in an overhanging configuration has been analysed. The floor consisted of a prefabricated T-shape piece formed by a glulam flange glued to a plywood rib and connected to an upper concrete slab poured in situ. The connection between both materials is achieved by penetrating the concrete into the holes made in the rib. Three-point bending tests were performed with a total of 8 specimens with depth of 25, 30 and 35 cm and overhanging length of 1.50, 1.80 and 2.10 m, respectively. That means a length-to-depth ratio equal to 6 in all cases. The experimental results showed that the lowest ultimate load value obtained was 8.03 and 5.55 times higher than the estimated service load for a building with residential use (5 kN/m2) and public use (9 kN/m2), respectively. Two types of failure were observed after a marked cracking process in the concrete as the ultimate load value was approached: tensile failure affecting the plywood rib and shear failure at the glulam flange-plywood rib connection. The maximum deflection for the total load was between 1/358 and 1/523 of the overhanging span for the estimated loads for a residential use building (5 kN/m2), and between 1/266 and 1/390 for public use buildings (9 kN/m2). Regarding to vibrations, floors in an overhanging configuration with a length-to-depth ratio equal to 6 and a simply supported portion equal to four times the length of the overhanging portion, with total loads up to 9.0 kN/m2, both in multi-storey buildings for residential and office use, present a high comfort level. Consequently, the proposed timber-concrete composite (TCC) overhanging floor solution has demonstrated high stiffness and strength that make it a suitable alternative for the construction of high-performance lightweight floors in multi-storey buildings.},

keywords = {Cantilever floors, Mixed beams, Timber flooring systems, Timber-concrete composite},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{martin-gutierrez_flexural_2023,

title = {Flexural behaviour of a new timber-concrete composite structural flooring system. Full scale testing},

author = {Emilio Martín-Gutiérrez and Javier Estévez-Cimadevila and Félix Suárez-Riestra and Dolores Otero-Chans},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710222016126},

doi = {10.1016/j.jobe.2022.105606},

issn = {2352-7102},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-04-01},

urldate = {2026-08-10},

journal = {Journal of Building Engineering},

volume = {64},

pages = {105606},

abstract = {Timber-concrete composite systems are a high-performance alternative for building floors, of great interest in the current context of environmental concerns. Looking for a more eco-friendly solution, the paper presents a new flooring system with a wood-concrete connection that does not require adhesives or special metal elements. Four-point bending tests were performed on TCC flooring samples with a span of 6.0, 7.2 and 8.4 m. Its cross section was a prefabricated piece in the shape of an inverted T made up of a lower glulam flange, glued together with a central plywood rib with aligned holes in its upper part that go through the entire thickness of the plywood. The set was completed with a top layer of poured-in-place concrete. The connection between both materials is achieved by penetrating the concrete into the rib holes. Additionally, corrugated steel bars were placed through said holes to achieve ductile behaviour. In all cases, a slenderness ratio of L/24 was used. The experimental results showed that the lowest value of ultimate load obtained was 4.3 times higher than the total service load estimated for a building for public use (9 kN/m2). The maximum deflection of the total load was between L/573 and L/709 for the loads corresponding to a building for public use (9 kN/m2) and between L/1069 and L/1340 for the case of residential type building (5 kN/m2). An analysis of the effects of vibrations in the service limit state in relation to user comfort has been included. The results indicate that the system satisfies the requirements for the intended uses. Consequently, the proposed solution shows its effectiveness both in terms of strength and stiffness for the construction of light floors, being easy to build and having high performance.},

keywords = {Flexural behaviour, Four-point bending test, Timber flooring systems, Timber-concrete composite},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{estevez-cimadevila_timber-concrete_2022,

title = {Timber-concrete composite structural flooring system},

author = {Javier Estévez-Cimadevila and Emilio Martín-Gutiérrez and Félix Suárez-Riestra and Dolores Otero-Chans and José Antonio Vázquez-Rodríguez},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710222000912},

doi = {10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104078},

issn = {2352-7102},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-05-01},

urldate = {2026-08-10},

journal = {Journal of Building Engineering},

volume = {49},

pages = {104078},

abstract = {An integrated solution is presented for the execution of building structures using timber-concrete composite (TCC) sections that make efficient use of the mechanical properties of both materials. The system integrates flooring and shaped prefabricated beams composed of a lower flange of glued laminated timber (GLT) glued to one or more plywood or laminated veneer lumber (LVL) ribs and linked to an upper concrete slab poured in situ. The parts may be prefabricated in T shape (only one rib), in π shape (two ribs), or with multiple ribs to create wider pieces, thereby reducing installation operations. The basis of the system is the timber-concrete shear connection in the form of holes through the ribs, which are filled by the in situ-poured concrete. The connection is complemented with the arrangement of reinforcement bars through the holes. Three test campaigns were undertaken. Shear tests of the timber-concrete connection in 12 test pieces. Shear test along the wood-wood glue line (72 planes tested) and wood -plywood (24 planes tested). Delamination test of the glued planes (24 wood-wood planes and 8 wood-plywood planes). The results indicate a high strength joint, with ductile failure and high composite effect. Likewise, the shear test results along the glue line and the delamination tests show section integrity under demanding hygrothermal conditions. Preliminary sizing curves were developed considering the Gamma Method to evaluate the performance of the system. The results show the possibilities of the system, as pouring the upper slab concrete in situ makes it possible to create continuous semi-rigid joints between the elements. This gives rise to slender flooring structures, light and with high stiffness plane against horizontal forces.},

keywords = {Mixed beams, Shear connector, Timber flooring systems, Timber-concrete composite},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{otero-chans_experimental_2018,

title = {Experimental analysis of glued-in steel plates used as shear connectors in Timber-Concrete-Composites},

author = {Dolores Otero-Chans and Javier Estévez-Cimadevila and Félix Suárez-Riestra and Emilio Martín-Gutiérrez},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141029617340117},

doi = {10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.05.062},

issn = {0141-0296},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-09-01},

urldate = {2026-08-04},

journal = {Engineering Structures},

volume = {170},

pages = {1–10},

abstract = {This paper describes experimental research into timber-concrete composite (TCC) connections made with discrete perforated steel plates glued in timber with epoxy adhesive. Continuous steel meshes have proven to be very strong and rigid elements in TCC structural members. This paper studies the strength and stiffness of these connectors when used in a discrete way, alone and in combination with reinforcing bars. Six types of connector were subjected to experimental tests, analysing two connection lengths and three configuration systems of the connector elements (in which bars are added longitudinally or transversally). The experimental results show that the connections made with discrete steel meshes are very strong and rigid, and that it is possible to design them for ductile failure. Comparison of the results for plates of different lengths indicates that failure occurs in the longest connections in the wood at lower average shear stresses. No significant behavioural differences were detected between connectors made only of plate and those that were reinforced with additional bars. The high slip moduli values indicate that it would be possible to design structural elements with a composite action close to 100% using this type of connection.},

keywords = {Discrete connection, Failure test, Fibre reinforced concrete, Glued connection, Glued laminated timber, Slip moduli, Stiffness, Strength, Timber-concrete composite},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}