COMPOSITE BEHAVIOUR OF COLD-FORMED STEEL - TIMBER FLOORS

This article investigates, experimentally, the structural performance of lightweight cold-formed steel (CFS) - timber board composite flooring systems. Fifteen full-scale bending tests and twelve companion pushout connection tests were performed. The effect of connection detail (comprising self-drilling screws with or without a structural adhesive) on structural performance is examined. The results of this research demonstrate that the use of a polyurethane adhesive, in conjunction with screws, leads to a significant increase in connection slip modulus and a higher degree of composite action in the floors, resulting in up to 40% increase in flexural stiffness, when compared to joists designed individually. The experimental results are then compared to predictions from relevant existing analytical models. © 2020 Ernst & Sohn Verlag für Architektur und technische Wissenschaften GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin.