End-colloquium Lea Steinbusch

In response to forthcoming changes in regulations on the MPG value of buildings by 2025, the urgent need to reduce the MKI value of wide slab floors, predominantly composed of concrete, has become evident. In collaboration with De Hoop Pekso, Iposim proposed an innovative solution: substituting the traditional cast concrete layer of the wide slab floor with timber beams. My graduation project has focused on developing the structural design of this innovative Timber-Concrete Composite Wide Slab floor, specifically for load-bearing applications in terraced housing. 

Throughout the design process, particular emphasis has been placed on the structural feasibility of various design aspects and seamless integration into De Hoop Pekso's existing production processes. A significant part of the research involved a detailed examination of longitudinal shear connectors, with a comparative analysis of notched connections versus inclined screw connections conducted through both analytical and experimental research.