Abstract
Timber floors suffering from poor serviceability performance can be upgraded with a concrete topping to form a timber–concrete composite. The upgrade stiffens the floor, reducing the perception of a vibration response to dynamic excitation. Despite timber–concrete composites becoming an established research area in recent years, relatively little is known about the vibration response of these floor types. This paper explores how the vibration response of a timber floor changes when upgraded with a concrete topping, with particular attention given to the fundamental frequency of vibration. An analytical model, utilising the gamma method of Eurocode 5 (EN 1995-1-1), is used to predict how the fundamental frequency of vibration changes with the addition of a topping.
The model is compared with experimental testing of timber–concrete panels before it is used to conduct a parametric study to establish the effect of common factors. It is
found that high interaction between the topping and timber floor, identifying a suitable topping thickness and considering the change in transverse stiffness are key to a successful upgrade. It is suggested that topping upgrades which are thin (20 mm or less) are suitable for this application.
The model is compared with experimental testing of timber–concrete panels before it is used to conduct a parametric study to establish the effect of common factors. It is
found that high interaction between the topping and timber floor, identifying a suitable topping thickness and considering the change in transverse stiffness are key to a successful upgrade. It is suggested that topping upgrades which are thin (20 mm or less) are suitable for this application.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1300057 |
Pages (from-to) | 559-568 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Structures and Buildings |
Volume | 167 |
Issue number | 9 |
Early online date | 6 Mar 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2014 |
Keywords
- composite structures/rehabilitation/timber structures
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Dive into the research topics of 'Concrete upgrade to improve the vibration response of timber floors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
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Kevin Paine
- Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering - Professor
- Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER) - Centre Director
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff
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Pete Walker
- Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering - Professor
- Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment
- Building Research Park
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Decarbonisation of the Built Environment (dCarb)
- Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change
- Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER)
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff