Synergizing Sustainability and Structural Innovation: A Critical Review of Steel-CLT Composite Floor Systems in Modern Construction
Girmay Mengesha Azanaw
Girmay Mengesha Azanaw, Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Manuscript received on 26 May 2025 | First Revised Manuscript received on 30 May 2025 | Second Revised Manuscript received on 05 June 2025 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 June 2025 | Manuscript published on 30 June 2025 | PP: 1-6 | Volume-13 Issue-7, June 2025 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijese.G260813070625 | DOI: 10.35940/ijese.G2608.13070625
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: The pressing necessity for the construction sector to achieve decarbonization has thrust steel-CLT (cross-laminated timber) composite flooring systems into prominence as an avantgarde amalgamation of sustainability and structural advancement. This review rigorously evaluates the capacity of these hybrid systems to harmonise the carbon-sequestering potential of CLT, which sequesters 135% of its mass in CO₂, with the unparalleled tensile strength of steel, realising a 60% reduction in embodied carbon and accommodating spans of 12 meters. Nevertheless, their implementation is obstructed by paradoxical issues: the absence of standardized assessments for human-induced vibration thresholds, transport emissions undermining sequestration benefits, and fragmented design regulations inflating expenses by 15–20%. Utilizing global case studies—from Amsterdam’s Haut Tower to prototypes at the University of Warwick—this review integrates advancements in bio-hybrid materials (such as self-healing timber coatings), AIenhanced design methodologies, and policy frameworks (for instance, the EU’s Timber Covenant). Significant findings indicate that demountable steel-CLT connections facilitate 90% material reuse, while AI-optimized grain orientation enhances vibration damping by 25%. However, financial impediments, such as $20–$ 30/sq. FT. Cost premiums and regional shortages of CLT remain prevalent. By advocating for carbon pricing mechanisms, localized supply chains, and interdisciplinary educational initiatives, this review establishes steel-CLT systems as a feasible foundational element for carbon-neutral urban development, dependent upon the resolution of technical, economic, and cultural disparities.
Keywords: Steel-CLT Composites, Sustainable Construction, Carbon Sequestration, Vibration Serviceability, Circular Economy, and AI-Driven Design.
Scope of the Article: Civil Engineering and Applications