Abstract
Hybrid steel-timber floor systems combine the standardisation, strength and ductility of steel with the prefabrication, low self-weight and biogenic carbon storage potential of engineered timber, offering a promising solution for low-carbon and circular construction. Their mechanical response and system-level performance are governed largely by the steel-to-timber shear connection, which controls load transfer, slip, stiffness, strength, ductility, fire response, and the feasibility of disassembly and reuse. This paper develops a component-informed design framework for hybrid steel-timber floor systems through a critical review of current research and practice on steel-timber shear connection systems. Material configurations and connector typologies are reviewed and classified in relation to structural performance objectives and sub-component circularity. The review is further refined through practitioner survey and workshop findings to assess practical applicability and implementation barriers. Particular attention is given to two representative connection families, namely dry demountable systems and wet-grouted bolted systems, for which the main load-transfer components, governing failure modes, key detailing parameters, and implications for fire performance and reuse are identified. The study provides a basis for the subsequent development of pre-normative, Eurocode-aligned design guidance for hybrid steel-timber floor connections.