Full-Scale Shear Testing of a Reversible Timber–Carbon-Reinforced Concrete Wall System Using Embedded Transport Anchors as Shear Connectors

This paper presents an experimental investigation of a demountable hybrid timber–carbon-reinforced concrete (CRC) wall system with a reversible mechanical connection detail based on embedded transport anchors, screwed steel angle brackets, and full-thread screws. The study addresses a wall concept in which a thin externally mounted CRC plate contributes to lateral load transfer through discrete reversible connection points rather than through a bonded or cast-in-place composite interface. Four full-scale wall specimens were tested under horizontal shear loading and a nominal vertical preload of 92kN in an adapted in-plane shear test arrangement. The maximum horizontal loads ranged from 19.7 to 22.7kN, with a mean value of 21.2kN and a coefficient of variation of 5.9%. For the three specimens with complete displacement records, the head displacement at maximum load ranged from 33.7 to 45.8mm. The initial wall stiffness K0.05−0.15 ranged from 1.93 to 2.80kN/mm, whereas the stiffness evaluated between 0.2Fmax and 0.4Fmax ranged from 0.52 to 0.67kN/mm. Normalized to the reference width of the tested configuration, the maximum horizontal load was 15.8 to 18.2kN/m. Damage initiated locally in the CRC anchorage zones, especially at the corner anchors, and progressed from first cracking to local concrete spalling. The governing failure mode was local concrete failure in the anchorage zones, accompanied by deformation of the steel angle brackets, while no critical damage was observed in the timber joints. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the investigated reversible timber–CRC connection concept for transferring in-plane shear forces in the tested configuration, but further tests are required before general design recommendations can be derived.