Timber-concrete-composite with an adhesive connector (wet on wet process)

In timber-concrete-composite structures the connection is traditionally achieved with mechanical means. The Swiss adhesive producer SIKA has developed a special adhesive which is capable of bonding the concrete both wet and hardened. Within the framework of the project, the wet process was investigated. The first project phase was concerned with the possible displacement of the adhesive when the fresh concrete is poured onto the wet adhesive. Key parameters such as the concrete type and the falling height of the concrete were analysed. After the adhesive had been freshly applied onto the wood, a certain time interval was allowed for the adhesive to stiffen before the concrete was poured: this “stiffening time” also proved to be a key parameter. After the production parameters had been optimised, a number of timber-concrete-composite slabs were cast and tested in bending. The test results fully met the expectations.