Abstract

This presentation examines the structural response, disassembly, and reuse potential of steel-timber shear connections. It includes results from experiments and numerical simulations under various loading conditions. A detailed account of the complete deformation response and the main mechanical parameters of the tested shear connections for conventional and slim steel-timber floors is presented. Non-linear finite element simulations were carried out to validate the main numerical parameters for steel, timber, and interaction characteristics, and then used for parametric investigations. Based on the results and observations, code-modified expressions for evaluating stiffness and load resistance were proposed within the ranges considered and validated against a collated database. A constitutive model was developed to predict the full load-slip response of shear connections, which can be adopted for discrete non-linear modelling of connectors. A reuse potential testing protocol was developed to evaluate performance after cyclic loading and reassembly, and a modified separation damage index was introduced to quantify the circularity of these systems. A sensitivity study for the tested shear connections and other practical configurations for steel-timber floors was also carried out for evaluating the circularity of such systems.