Numerical Investigation of Effective Flange Width in the CLT-GLT Composite T-beams

his paper deals with the structural behavior of CLT-GLT composite T-beams which is made up of a Cross LaminatedTimber (CLT) panel attached to a Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) beam. The technical research paper exploresthe effect of the CLT panel and GLT beam configuration on the effective flange width of CLT-GLT compositeT-beams, which is an important requirement for simplified structural analysis and design. When the CLT-GLTcomposite T-beams are under positive bending moment, part of the CLT panel will act as the flange of the GLTbeam resisting compression. From shear lag, the compressive stress in the CLT flange will differ with the distancefrom the GLT beam. When the spacing between the GLT beams becomes larger, the CLT flange becomes morehighly stressed over the GLT beam than in the extremities edges of the CLT flange. Despite a large number ofstudies regarding steel-concrete composite structures for design purposes, there has not been comprehensivecomparative research on structures that are constructed by engineered wood products. In this study, a finiteelement (FE) model which is experimentally verified is used to analyze the CLT-GLT composite T-beams andobtained effective flange width results are presented by tables, bar charts, and normal stress distribution figures.Based upon a detailed parametric study, it is concluded that the layer arrangement of the CLT panels and itsmaterial properties have a significant influence on the effective flange width of the CLT-GLT composite T-beams.Any changes that increase the ratio of the transverse layer’s depth to the longitudinal layer’s depth result inan increase of the effective flange width. FE Parametric study on conventional layers configurations of the CLTpanels showed that when the boards in transverse layers replaced by two times thicker boards, the effectiveflange width of CLT-GLT composite T-beams increases at least 85 percent.KEYWORDSComposite T-beam, CLT, GLT, shear lag, effective flange width