Measurement of rolling shear modulus of Cross Laminated Timber: Exploratory study using downscaled specimens under variable span bending tests
The purpose of this study was to measure the rolling shear modulus of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), which was achieved by conducting 3-point bending tests with variable span using downscaled sandwich specimens. Two types of sandwich specimens were employed: steel-wood-steel (SWS) and wood-wood-wood (WWW). Experimental results from SWS specimens were verified with those predicted from WWW ones through the shear analogy method. Effects of span-to-depth ratio (l/h) and growth ring orientation on rolling shear modulus (GRT) were also examined. It was found that the average deflection of WWW specimens tested at l/h of 6.5 could be well predicted using the shear analogy method based on true elasticity of modulus (Em) and GRT of the cross layer measured using SWS specimens under variable span tests. The results also showed that the cross layer of `in-between' growth ring orientation could gain the higher rolling shear modulus than that of flat sawn or quarter sawn one.
CLT-Steel Composite Floors for Sustainable Multi-Storey Construction
This thesis encompasses the investigation of a novel proposed construction system that pairs Cross-Laminated 
Timber (CLT) floor panels with steel-frame multi-storey construction. 
As a substitute for concrete floors, the promise of CLT lies in its reduced embodied carbon, and its 
lightness, which gives the promise of reduced material usage and a reduction in the environmental 
impact of a multi-storey building overall. 
In addition to clarifying the environmental benefit such a system provides, this thesis seeks to determine 
whether forming composite sections from the CLT panels and the steel beam, can lead to meaningful 
enhancements to the section stiffness in bending. Finite element analysis is applied for this task, 
necessitating first a methodology for modelling CLT to capture its relevant complexities as a material, 
and subsequently incorporation of the behaviour of the joints between structural elements in the 
proposed system, with the key characteristics of the materials and joint models validated against physical 
test data. 
Focusing predominantly on a slimfloor arrangement of panels and beams, the study provides the first 
evaluation of the effective width of CLT floor panels when acting compositely with steel beams, provides 
a prediction for composite action CLT panels and Asymmetric Steel Beams (ASBs) with a series of 
connectors, and identifies areas of development within the system that could bring about increased 
composite benefits. 
The outcomes of the study are that in a slimfloor arrangement with contemporary panels, beams and 
connectors, the composite enhancement is small but measurable, and that with changes and 
development to the system components, much larger composite enhancement effects could be 
generated.
Mechanical behaviour and durability of high volume fly ash cementitious composites
The purpose of this research is to separate different morphological particles of ASTM class F fly ash, and study their effect on mechanical behaviour and durability of high volume cementitious mixtures. In this research wet separation of raw fly ash is carried out, which resulted in three layers of different morphological particles. The first layer of particles float, comprise of about 1-5% of fly ash, is identified as cenospheres or hollow spheres. The second layer of particles is measured to be 55-60% of raw fly ash and consisting of porous spherical and rounded particles rich in Si and Al. The third layer particles is measured to be about 35-40% of raw fly ash. High volume fly ash cementitious composites containing second or third layer particles are tested under compression and bending, highlighting a higher strength and ductility in comparison to cementitious ones containing raw fly ash particles. KEYWORDS. Cementitious matrix; Raw fly ash; Second layer particles; Third layer particles.