Timber-Reinforced Concrete Composite Construction System and Brock Commons Student Residence Example

A composite structure is a building made from a combination of materials, such as steel, concrete and timber. These systems offer a more efficient construction method by utilising the superior properties of different materials. This study explains the timber-concrete composite construction system and its advantages using the Brock Commons Student Residence project in Canada as an example, and reveals the reasons for its selection. The timber-concrete composite system was chosen for Brock Commons due to the need for rapid construction, the abundance of timber production in Canada, the limited space available for a construction site given the building's location, and its sustainability advantages. Consequently, the seventeen-storey dormitory building was completed within seventy days. The building is economical, sustainable, environmentally friendly, lightweight and earthquake-resistant. Due to its prefabricated elements, on-site traffic is also minimised. The building uses a laminated timber column and floor system with two reinforced concrete cores.