Modeling, Analysis, and Design of Timber-Concrete Composite Structures

Introduction

The objectives of this study are (1) the evaluation of the variability of global and local structural response quantities owing to the uncertainties in the constitutive parameters of timber, concrete, and shear connectors; and (2) the analysis of the correlation between experimental measurements and numerical results based on FE models in which the values of the constitutive parameters are set equal to their experimentally identified mean values and in which the values of the constitutive parameters are optimized through FE model updating, respectively. The results presented in this study show that uncertainties in the constitutive parameters of timber, concrete, and shear connectors have a significant influence on the correlation between the experimental and numerical results. In addition, the optimal values of material parameters obtained using the FE model updating procedure may show substantial variations with respect to the parameters’ mean values as identified in the experimental testing. Prospective developments directed toward design applications and based on the obtained results are also discussed.

 

Related Publications

  • Zona A, Barbato M and Fragiacomo M (2012). “Finite-element model updating and probabilistic analysis of timber-concrete composite beams.” Journal of Structural Engineering (ASCE), 138(7):899-910. (Link)

 

Funded Projects Supporting this Research

  • A probabilistic Performance-Based Approach for Wind-Borne Debris Hazard Mitigation

PI: Barbato, M.

Co-PI: None

Sponsor: LSU College of Engineering, through Longwell’s Family Foundation

Program: Fund for Innovation in Engineering Research (FIER)

Period: March 2008 - May 2010

  • A probabilistic performance-based approach for building separation distance decision to mitigate seismic pounding risk

PI: Barbato, M.

Co-PI: None

Sponsor: LSU Council on Research

Program: 2009-2010 Faculty Research Grant Program

Period: August 2010 - July 2011

  • Development of finite elements for response and response sensitivity analysis of reinforced concrete structures retrofitted with externally-bonded fiber reinforced polymers

PI: Barbato, M.

Co-PI: None

Sponsor: Louisiana Board of Regents

Program: RCS Program

Period: August 2010 - July 2013