Innovative Slab-Column Connector for a Point-Supported Cross-Laminated Timber Slabs in Tall Buildings – A Numerical Analysis

Abstract This study investigates an innovative slab–column connector designed to enhance the structural performance of point-supported cross-laminated timber (CLT) slabs. The proposed connection increases the supported area and pushes the critical circumference further from the column, thereby improving the punching shear capacity. A numerical analysis was conducted to compare the performance of unreinforced and reinforced slabs. The results indicate that the reinforced slab exhibits a punching capacity increase by a factor of 1.63, which shifts the failure mode from rolling shear failure in the unreinforced slab to bending tensile failure in the outer lamellae. The bonded-in steel connector functions as a wider point support and significantly increases the bending stiffness and the critical circumference for the validation of the punching shear. While adhesive failure was mitigated through design modifications, the numerical models were constrained by the assumption of linear elasticity, which limited the representation of the stress redistribution and cracking effects in the CLT.