Structural performance of timber–concrete composite (TCC) beam
Project Description
How can timber and concrete work together to make a strong and sustainable floor? In this hands-on project, students will help build and test timber–concrete composite (TCC) beams. The timber acts mainly at the bottom of the beam, while the concrete strengthens the top. Students will take part in simple practical activities such as measuring materials, preparing moulds, mixing and casting concrete, assembling the beam, placing sensors and taking photographs. They will then watch the beam being loaded in the laboratory and help record how it bends, cracks and eventually fails. Easy-to-use spreadsheets or prepared computer scripts will be provided for plotting the results. No previous knowledge of timber engineering, concrete testing or computer programming is required. Safety training and step-by-step guidance will be provided by the research team.
Supervisor
PAN, Yuxin
Quota
2
Course type
UROP1100
UROP2100
UROP3100
UROP3200
Applicant's Roles
• Join a laboratory safety briefing and learn how a structural test is prepared.
• Measure timber and concrete materials and help prepare moulds and reinforcement.
• Help mix and cast concrete and assemble the test beam under supervision.
• Place simple sensors at marked locations and check that they are working.
• Photograph and record bending, cracking and other changes during the test.
• Enter data into a prepared spreadsheet or script and produce clear graphs.
• Measure timber and concrete materials and help prepare moulds and reinforcement.
• Help mix and cast concrete and assemble the test beam under supervision.
• Place simple sensors at marked locations and check that they are working.
• Photograph and record bending, cracking and other changes during the test.
• Enter data into a prepared spreadsheet or script and produce clear graphs.
Applicant's Learning Objectives
• Experience how a real structural component is built and tested.
• Discover how timber and concrete can work together in one floor system.
• Learn the basic purpose of sensors and how measurements become graphs.
• Build confidence in laboratory work, teamwork and communicating observations.
• Discover how timber and concrete can work together in one floor system.
• Learn the basic purpose of sensors and how measurements become graphs.
• Build confidence in laboratory work, teamwork and communicating observations.
Complexity of the project
Moderate