The use of Cross-Laminated Timber products has increased in recent years with a range of structural applications including CLT tall buildings and folded structures. As CLT is used in more innovative structural applications the need for specific methods of design and analysis are apparent. A review of the literature demonstrates that despite the increasing popularity of CLT in construction there are limited methods for the design and analysis of CLT panels and structures that fully utilise its unique properties. Manufacturer data relating to the CLT material properties varies how the cross directional laminas are considered. Finally it was found that there is limited published knowledge regarding CLT material properties for panels loaded non-tangentially to the direction of the timber grain. A method for predicting failure loads and modes has been presented and compared with experimental test data. A Strut and Tie model is proposed for the analysis of CLT panels, a methodology originally developed to design of reinforced concrete deep beams. The Strut and Tie approach considers panel geometry, loads, supports, different properties in tension and compression and was adapted to consider anisotropic behaviour. The procedure, advantages and limitations have been presented and a model developed for an application in CLT. The use of this model is considered for the analysis of simple CLT panel loadings. The behaviour of CLT at different timber grain angles demonstrate a complex composite behaviour influencing the strut and tie capacities. The definition of node sizes was also found to be critical to the definitions of the struts and ties and hence the capacity of the sections. Comparison of experimental tests to the model demonstrates some application to using a Strut and Tie in CLT panels. It identifies where additional investigation is required to improve, develop and validate the model into a method that may be used for full-scale CLT panels and structures in design practice and consider a variety of geometries and loading arrangements.
