Flexural behavior of adhesively bonded cross-laminated timber-concrete composite (TCC) panel with glass-fiber textile mesh as reinforcement in concrete: Experimental studying and numerical simulation

Timber-concrete composite (TCC) structures offer higher stiffness and loading capacity compared to pure timber structures with similar dimensions. A more rigid adhesive interface between concrete and timber offers advantages over conventional connections (e.g., mechanical fasteners and notches) by ensuring strain compatibility between the two materials. Fiber-based textiles, such as alkali-resistant (AR) glass fiber fabric, provide electrochemical corrosion resistance when used as reinforcement in concrete. An innovative composite floor system was introduced in this study, comprising cross-laminated timber (CLT) and reinforced concrete embedded with lightweight AR glass textile reinforcement, rigidly bonded together through epoxy adhesive bonding. A comprehensive investigation on the flexural behavior of this composite structure panel was conducted. Instrumentation, like digital image correlation (DIC) and optical fiber sensors, was employed to record strain distribution and development during four-point bending tests on those panels. A nonlinear numerical model was developed to predict the flexural behavior of the panels using continuum damage evolution for timber, concrete damage plasticity (CDP) model, and cohesive contact behavior between timber layers, considering the non-glue edge in the transverse layer. Experimental results showed that the failure predominantly occurred in the transverse layer of the CLT in the TCC panels. Employing glass fabric reinforcement within the CLT-constituted TCC led to an increase in loading bearing capacity. Numerical simulation indicated that textile reinforcement embedded within TCC's concrete counteracted localized concrete tensile failure, preserving structural integrity, delaying cohesive failure between planks in CLT, and consequently amplifying ultimate loading capacity of TCC structure.