Iroko studs connecting limecrete slabs to glulam beams

New work on fabrication and testing of limecrete slab–glulam beam hybrids using novel headed studs of the hardwood iroko for slab–beam composite action, is presented. Connection schemes comprising vertical iroko studs and notches in the beams, or only inclined iroko studs, are described. Longitudinal shear testing shows the inclined stud connections to be of high initial stiffness, high strength and some ductility. Static and dynamic test data suggest that the notch/vertical stud combined connections are near-rigid. A test-verified nonlinear finite-element (FE) program reveals that, relative to the case of no composite action, the inclined iroko studs increased the hybrid member's stiffness and strength by 138% and 87% respectively. The need for further research on activating connector ductility to benefit the hybrid member's overall failure behaviour is discussed.