Calculation method for mixed wooden floors with flexible connection. Alternative to the gamma method recommended by Annex B of Eurocode EC-5

Abstract

This paper proposes an alternative to the gamma method recommended by Annex B of Eurocode EC-5. This is currently used to calculate floors made of wooden beams reinforced with a slab joined using dowel connectors. This gives rise to a flexible connection, as slip occurs that reduces its bending stiffness.The new procedure presented here eliminates several limitations of the gamma method, as it makes it possible to:
-associate deformations and forces in any section of the beam
-associate slip stiffness of the connection directly with bending stiffness of the beam and vice versa, and,
-use the real uniform load instead of the sinusoidal load
More specifically, the method proposed in this paper obtains the slip stiffness of the connection between the existing floor and the reinforcement (Kuni) based on its bending stiffness or, equally, based on a specific deflection.
This is not possible using the gamma method.