Prefabricated timber-concrete composite floors
The presented investigation concerns the study of novel types of timber-concrete composite floors, manufactured with “dry connections” (Crocetti et al. In: 11th WCTE, Riva del Garda: international conference proceeding of 11th WCTE, Riva del Garda, 2010; In: RILEM 2013: Materials and Joints in Timber Structures—Recent Advancement of Technology Stuttgart, Germany, 2013: RILEM 2013, Stuttgart, 2013; Sartori et al. In: Enhance mechanical properties of timber, engineered wood products and timber structures. University of Bath, COST FP1004, Zagreb, 19 April 2012, 2012). Three full-scale nominally identical floor elements were investigated. The shear connector system used in the investigation was realized by means of self-tapping screws driven at an angle of 45° into the wood. First, the screws were inserted on the top of the glulam beams. Then, the beams were twisted upside-down and placed on concrete formwork (Fragiacomo In: Struct Eng Mech 20(2):173–189, 2005). Then fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) was cast in the formwork. Quasi-static bending tests and long-term bending test were performed. It was found that the proposed connection systems performed more than satisfactory in the short term, showing a very high degree of composite action even at load levels close to the failure load. However, long-term loading (Fragiacomo and Ceccotti In: J Struct Eng 132(1):13–22, 2006) induces increased deformation, which should be taken into account in SLS design.
Deconstructable timber-concrete composite beams with panelised slabs: Finite element analysis
Abstract This paper deals with the development of efficient and accurate numerical models for the analysis of deconstructable timber-concrete composite (TCC) beams with panelised reinforced concrete (RC) slabs. Three different methods, viz. analytical, 1D frame finite element (FE) and 2D continuum-based FE models, are proposed and validated against experimentally measured data from 4-point bending tests conducted on TCC beams with precast panels. It is shown that the analytical model is the most efficient, whereas the 2D continuum-based model is the most accurate among the three different methods considered. In addition, a parametric study is carried out using 2D FE models to assess various aspects of the TCC system and to evaluate the influence of precast panelised RC slabs on the structural response of TCC beams. Lastly, the challenges of the practical FE modelling of deconstructable TCC beams are briefly discussed and accordingly, some guidance on the FE analysis of TCC beams with panelised RC slabs is provided.
Fieldwork in geography teaching: A critical review of the literature and approaches
Abstract Virtually all lecturers in geography recognise the importance of fieldwork as a vital mode of teaching in the subject. This paper draws on material produced as part of a HEFCE review of teaching and learning in the field and assesses the implications of recent changes in higher education for field studies in geography. The literature on the development of, and recent changes in, fieldwork practice is reviewed and assumptions about appropriate forms of teaching and assessment are challenged. The need for carefully integrated preparation of project‐orientated fieldwork is stressed and the importance of debriefing and feedback after field visits is emphasised. Various suggestions for guidelines on good practice are presented. Finally, a range of future issues and problems in fieldwork is identified and discussed.