In this paper, the linear buckling of Cross Laminated Timber walls is investigated. A 3D numerical study using finite-elements is presented for several Cross Laminated Timber geometries, ply configurations and boundary conditions. First, it is shown that critical buckling loads are close to the material failure load which proves the necessity of a design model for the buckling of Cross Laminated Timber panels. Second, through a comparison between soft simple support boundary conditions and conventional hard simple support conditions, it is shown that this distinction could be taken into account for designing timber structures depending on the accuracy needed. Third, several plate models, particularly the Bending-Gradient theory, are compared to these 3D reference results. It is observed that for varying plate geometries and arrangements, the Bending-Gradient theory predicts more precisely the critical load of CLT panels than classical lamination and first-order shear deformation theories. Finally, it is demonstrated that one of the suggested projections of the Bending-Gradient on a Reissner-Mindlin model gives very accurate results and could favorably allow the development of engineering recommendations to estimate properly transverse shear effects.
This research focuses on the dynamic behaviour of long span LCC flooring systems. Experimental testing and finite element modelling was used to determine the dynamic behaviour, with particular regard to the natural frequency, fn and mode shape of an LCC floor.
Both the experimental results and the finite element analyses agreed and showed that increased stiffness increased the natural frequency of the floor, and the boundary conditions influenced the dynamic behaviour of the LCC floor. Providing more restraint increased the stiffness of the floor system. The connectors' stiffness did not influence the dynamic performance of the floor.
The research showed that a 8 m LCC long span floor can be constructed using LVL joists of between 300 mm to 400 mm depth with a concrete thickness of 65 mm for the longer spans, and joists of between 150 mm to 240 mm depth in conjunction with a concrete topping thickness of 100 mm for the shorter spans.
Long threaded rods have recently been widely used as a reinforcement of glued laminated timber in perpendicular to the grain direction. The recent research has thus focused mainly on the withdrawal properties of the threaded rods in the axial direction. Utilizing their large withdrawal stiffness and strength, the threaded rods can also effectively be used as connectors in moment resisting timber joints. Yet, in joints, the threaded rods are often imposed to a non-axial loading, due to inclination of the rod axis to the grain as well as loading direction different from the rod axis. No design models are currently available for the combined axial and lateral loading of the threaded rods. In the present work, the effects of the rod-to-grain and load-to-rod angles on capacity and stiffness of the threaded rods are investigated by use of experiments and finite element models. Based on those, analytical expressions for determining stiffness and capacity of axially and laterally loaded threaded rods are proposed, intended as a basis for practical joint design. Furthermore, effect of various boundary conditions applied at the rod-ends is studied.
Cross laminated timber (CLT) has the potential to play a major role in timber construction as floor and wall systems. In order to meet specific design needs and to make the use of CLT more effective, property evaluation of individual CLT panels is desirable. Static tests are time-consuming and therefore costly, and for massive products such as CLT practically impossible to implement. Modal testing offers a fast and more practical tool for the property evaluation of CLT and timber panels in general. This paper presents a comparison of different boundary conditions in modal testing in terms of accuracy, calculation effort and practicality. Single-layer timber panels as well as scaled CLT panels were fabricated. Three elastic properties of the panels were evaluated using modal testing methods with different boundary conditions (BCs). The results were compared with results from static test.
Long span timber floor solutions have demonstrated their potential to compete with concrete and steel construction for multi-storey commercial buildings. Due to the high strength-to-weight ratio of timber, serviceable vibration performance is a critical structural design issue for long spans. This project investigates the vibration performance of cross laminated timber for long span floors in the Australian and New Zealand building sector. Laboratory experiments and computer analysis are used to study the effect of the increased transverse stiffness, inherent to a cross laminated timber, on the vibration performance of the floor. The effect of boundary conditions, connection and support type, are investigated and quantified where possible. A timber joist floor with a plywood sheath is analysed and tested to validate the methods used in this study.
This paper will discuss the relevancy of different boundary conditions that relates to the dynamic behaviour of CLT floors to show the opportunities of adopting the findings for the verification of the serviceability limit state. Based on a literature research and measurements in the laboratory and in situ in different objects the evaluated boundary conditions are different static systems, supporting conditions, non-load bearing internal walls, flexible carriers, joints between CLT elements, elastomers and floor constructions. Furthermore a theoretical investigation on the low frequency behaviour of floating screeds was conducted. Abstracted from the results it can be stated that elastomers can generally be neglected in their influence on low frequency vibration modes except when the partial clamping due to the load of superimposed storeys at the supports should be taken into account. The effect of partial clamping on low frequency vibration can be calculated adequately but is lowered if elastomers are used to improve the building physics. A big influence was observed at non-load bearing internal walls as they are able to change the eigenmodes of a floor into ones with higher frequency. Overall the laboratory measurements agreed well with the analytic solutions while differences in comparison of calculations with in situ measurements rise with the complexity of the boundary conditions.
In the present work the change in natural frequencies, damping and mode shapes of a prefabricated timber floor element have been investigated when it was integrated into a building structure. The timber floor element was first subjected to modal testing in laboratory with ungrounded and simply supported boundary conditions, and then in situ at different stages of building construction. The first five natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes of the floor element and the entire floor were extracted and analysed. It may be concluded that the major change in natural frequencies occur as the floor element is coupled to the adjacent elements and when partitions are built in the studied room, the largest effect is on those modes of vibration that largely are constrained in their movement. The in situ conditions have a great influence on the damping, which depends on the damping characteristics of the supports, but also on the fact that the floor is integrated into the building and interacts with it. There is a slight increase of damping in the floor over the different construction stages and the damping values seem to decrease with ascending mode order.
