Flexural performance and reliability analysis of timber-engineered cementitious composite (ECC) composite beams

With the increasing demand for sustainable infrastructure, the combination of timber and engineered cementitious composites (ECC) has attracted growing research interest; however, the mechanical behavior and reliability of such composite systems are not yet fully understood. This study investigates the flexural performance and reliability of timber—ECC composite (TEC) beams. A three-dimensional finite element model, incorporating material constitutive behavior and interfacial contact conditions, was developed and validated using experimental data. Based on the validated model, the effects of ECC layer thickness at the top and bottom, as well as bolt spacing and diameter, on flexural behavior were systematically analyzed. The results indicate that the bottom ECC layer thickness plays a dominant role in enhancing flexural capacity, while bolt parameters also have a notable influence. Furthermore, a predictive model for bearing capacity was established through multivariate linear regression using combined experimental and numerical results. The structural reliability of TEC beams was then evaluated using the JC method recommended by the Joint Committee on Structural Safety (JCSS), providing a quantitative assessment of safety performance. The findings offer useful references for the design, optimization, and reliability analysis of TEC and other timber-based composite structures.