Suitability of slim-floor steel-Timber composites as intermediate floor constructions-case study based on projects in Finland

The structural engmeer provides module divisions and intermediate floor structural thicknesses for the preliminary architectural design. Usually, such data is based on design guidelines provided by manufacturers, national design guides or experiential knowledge from earlier projects. However there are a few well-known and standardized timber floor systems in Finland, and the knowledge of timber composite structures is still very limited, largely because of the small number of reference cases. Therefore this study addresses the gap by first presenting general information regarding the slim-floor steel-Timber composite (slim-STC) and timber-concrete composite (TCC) systems. Furthermore, this study analyses the implementation of the slim-STC system in the existing office and public buildings in Finland by comparing the vibration behaviour of the slim-STC floor to the selected reference cases The used six reference cases were selected from Sweco Finland Oy projects and they are representing the typical timber floors and TCC solutions used m office and public buildings in Finland. Based on the analysis, the slim-STC system can provide advantages to the vibrationbehaviourandthe structure couldbe successfully used m office and public buildings m Finland withouf complex technical barriers because it has many similarities with the existing floor solutions.