In general, the rational application of construction materials requires the development or improvement of building techniques. Thus, the use of concrete and timber, traditional materials largely accepted in rural buildings, making composite structures, constitutes a possible solution for presenting adequate structural and economical performances and durability too. In particular, the effectiveness of this structural system must be assured by a connection at the interface of the materials, and it can be of discrete (metallic elements: screws, steel bars, nails etc) or continuous types (epoxy adhesive). Several kinds of civil construction applications can be contemplated by this structural system, as in restorations or construction of new bridges. In fact, along the vicinal roads, there is a large number of timber bridges that need restorations and there is a need to construct new bridges as well. General speaking, bridges are exposed to severe weather and loading conditions, and, thus, they must be carefully studied, so that the connection mechanisms can be more precisely evaluated, as well as the composite structure behavior during its entire life. In this context, by analyzing the several aspects that involve the performance of the timber-concrete composite structures and, also the mechanical behavior of the connections in these structures, we conclude, in this article, that this construction technique is feasible for bridges in vicinal roads. Further, additional research on the long-term loading effects, temperature and moisture variations, is necessary to improve the simulation models.
structural system; connection system; horizontal shear; durability; composite panel
