Difficulties in characterizing the dynamic behavior of wood structures have hindered investigations into their performance under dynamic loading. Because of this, wood structures are treated unfavorably in seismic design codes, even though past damage assessment surveys after seismic events indicated generally satisfactory performance. To allow investigations into their performance and safety under dynamic loading, the energy dissipation mechanisms of wood joints and structural systems must be known and the hysteretic behavior modeled properly. This thesis presents a general hysteresis model for wood joints and structural systems, based on a modification of the Bouc-Wen-Baber-Noori (BWBN) model. The hysteretic constitutive law, based on the endochronic theory of plasticity and characterized by a single mathematical form, produces a versatile, smoothly varying hysteresis that models previously observed behavior of wood joints and structural systems, namely, (1) nonlinear, inelastic behavior, (2) stiffness degradation, (3) strength degradation, (4) pinching, and (5) memory. The constitutive law takes into account the experimentally observed dependence of wood joints' response to their past history (Le., the input and response at earlier times, or memory). Practical guidelines to estimate the hysteresis parameters of any wood joint or structural system are given. Hysteresis shapes produced by the proposed model are shown to compare reasonably well with experimental hysteresis of wood joints with: (1) yielding plate, (2) yielding nails, and (3) yielding bolts. To demonstrate its use, the proposed model is implemented in a nonlinear dynamic analysis program for single-degree-of-freedom (SDF) systems. System response from arbitrary dynamic loading, such as cyclic or earthquake-type loadings, can be computed. Three SDF wood systems are subjected to the Loma Prieta accelerogram to obtain their response time histories. Advantages of using the proposed model over currently available models in nonlinear dynamic analysis of more complex systems are identified. A multidegree-of-freedom shear building model incorporating the proposed hysteresis model is formulated but not implemented on a computer. / Master of Science

Utvecklingen av förbandsmetoder är viktigt för att utveckla konstruktionslösningar. Under det senaste decenniet har forskning på limmade förband utförts, främst på inlimning av stålstag och plattstål i limträ. Förhoppningen är att spänningen ska fördelas jämnare i förbandet och att brott ska kunna undvikas. Hypotetiskt sett skulle det kunna göra knutpunker utan synliga förband möjliga vilket även skulle gynna arkitekternas önskemål. Genom en sammanställning av tidigare forskning dras en jämförelse mellan testresultaten och en antagen knutpunkt som belastas av egentyngder och variabla laster. På så sätt kan limmets kapacitet konkretiseras. Även problematik som uppstår och förutsättningar som måste utvecklas redovisas. / The development of joints for wood structures has been under progress during the last decade, and research has mainly been done on glued in steel rods and inner steel plate joints. The aim of this report is to find a way to get a better shear resistance to prevent timber structures from breaking during high risk circumstances, such as loads caused by exceptional weather. Structures without visible joints would also benefit the architects' wishes, which would be a reason to develop the technique of joints for wood structures. By a compiling of previous research, a comparison between test results and a joint of a hypothetical building is made. The loads that affect the calculations of the joint are snow-, wind-, variable and structural loads. This concretises the capacity of the adhesive joint. Also problems that appear and preconditions that have to be developed are recited.

In earlier wood constructions, the method of joining the parts was by the carpenter joint. There are many different kinds of carpenter joints. The kind of carpenter joint that was used was partly due to the type of building, but also to local variations in building tradition.  The industrialization at the end of the 19thcentury led to new construction technology with new types of joints. It gradually became more difficult for the craftsmen to compete with mass-produced standard joints with screws and nails. During the latter half of the 20thcentury, it once again began to become popular with the carpenter joint. New technology in the wood industry began to make carpenter joints competitive.  Modern technology with modeling of geometries has made it possible to analyze and optimize structures and joints in a new way. Verification through tests has also led to increased understanding of wood joints.  Calculation of the load bearing capacity in carpenter joints is possible by applying calculation rules in Eurocode.   The purpose with this study is to verify strength calculations for a traditional carpenter joint.  An analysis of an imagined timber frame and roof truss was made in a calculation program to assess in a rough manner what section forces the structure was subjected to.   A dovetail joint in the roof truss shown in fig. 1 was chosen for further analysis.  Manual calculation of the load bearing capacity in the dovetail joint was made. Verification of the calculations was then done through strength tests in a lab.   The study shows that it is possible to calculate the load bearing capacity in a dovetail joint and that account must be taken to eccentricities in the joint and varying wood quality. / I äldre träbärverk var metoden för sammanfogning av virkesdelar hophuggningen. Det finns en mängd olika typer av hophuggningar. Vilken typ av hophuggning som användes berodde dels på byggnadstypen men även på lokala variationer i byggnadstradition. Industrialiseringen under slutet på 1800-talet bidrog till ny byggteknik med nya typer av förband. Det blev efter hand svårare för timmermännen att konkurrera med massproducerade standardförband med skruv och spik. Under senare halvan av 1900-talet började det åter bli populärt med hophuggningen. Ny teknik inom träindustrin började åter göra timmerförband konkurrenskraftiga. Modern teknik med modellering av geometrier har även gjort det möjligt att på ett nytt sätt analysera och optimera bärverk och förband. Verifiering genom tester har också lett till ökad förståelse av timmerförband. Beräkning av bärförmågan i hophuggningar är möjligt genom tillämpning av beräkningsregler i Eurokod. Syftet med detta arbete är att verifiera hållfasthetsberäkningar för ett traditionellt timmerförband.  En analys av en tänkt timmerram och takstol gjordes i ett beräkningsprogram för att på ett överslagsmässigt sätt bedöma vilka snittkrafter konstruktionen utsattes för. Ett laxförband i takstolen som visas i fig. 1 valdes ut för vidare analys. Manuell beräkning av bärförmågan i laxförbandet gjordes. Verifiering av beräkningarna gjordes därefter genom hållfasthetsprovning av förbandet i laborationslokal. Studien pekar mot att det går att med tillförlitlighet beräkna bärförmågan för ett traditionellt laxförband och att hänsyn skall tas till excentriciteter och varierande virkeskvalitet.

A general procedure for the evaluation of the mechanical properties of structural joints, named component method, is now available from intensive research works at the European level. This procedure allows the analytical prediction of the resistance, but also of the stiffness and the deformation capacity, of structural joints under external forces (axial or shear forces, bending moments ). The component method is nowadays integrated as a reference procedure in two European design codes, respectively for steel structures (EC3 [EN1993]) and steel-concrete composite structures (EC4 [EN1994]). However, its potential scope is much larger and present studies are aimed to apply to situations as joints in fire, joints under seismic loading, joints under exceptional loads (Robustness Project) . More recently, a research project [CTI-2004] has succeeded in applying the component method to the investigation of the elastic behaviour of mechanical joints in timber construction. That is the result of the collaboration of CTIB-TCHN (Belgian Institute for Wood Technology) and University of Liège. The main principle of the component method is the following: identification of constitutive components subjected to tension, compression or shear in the joint; determination of the mechanical behaviour of these individual components; "assembling" components so as to derive the mechanical properties of the whole joint. In the present paper, timber joints with dowel fasteners are considered. Two components may be identified: "dowel" component (dowel fastener in bending and shear); embedding component (timber member in embedding). The "dowel" component is known from past researches, whereas little information is available for the embedding component. EC5 [EN1995] proposes formulation to predict the behaviour for joints composed of these two components; but it only depends on two factors: the dowel diameter and the timber density. The influence probably significant of the grain direction (material strongly anisotropy) and the thickness of the connected members are for instance neglected. Experimental, numerical and analytical investigations have recently been performed by University of Liège in collaboration with CTIB-TCHN so as to propose another formulation more precise for joints. Experimental results, performed by CTIB-TCHN, have been used as reference for the development of numerical model and, then, analytical model. The application of the component method to the prediction of the elastic behaviour of timber joints consist of two steps: "local" investigation on components that is to develop analytical models for the prediction of the elastic behaviour of components; "global" investigation on joints that is to develop analytical models for the prediction of the elastic behaviour of joints. The application of the component method to timber joints with dowel fasteners is a first step towards the use of this concept in future to others mechanical joints (screw, punched metal plate, nail, bolt ). In this case, others components may be derived to cover the field of application expected.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, 2005. / "June 2005." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-126). Also available electronically via the Australian Digital Theses Program.

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is a timber scarce country that will most probably experience a shortage of structural timber in the near future. In this study the concept of using young finger‐jointed Eucalyptus grandis timber was evaluated for possible application in roof truss structures while the timber is still in the green, unseasoned state. 220 finger‐jointed boards of cross‐sectional dimension 48 x 73 mm and 36 x 111 mm timber, cut from 5‐18 year old Eucalyptus grandis trees were obtained from Limpopo province, South Africa. The boards were manufactured using a polyurethane (PU) adhesive at moisture content levels above fibre saturation point and no drying was performed. The objectives of this study were to determine various mechanical and physical properties of this finger‐jointed product. More specifically (1) to determine the strength and stiffness potential of the product in the wet and the dry condition, (2) to evaluate physical properties such as density, warp, checking and splitting, (3) to evaluate potential indicator properties to be used as structural grading parameters, and (4) to compare the flexural properties to the current SA pine resource and SANS structural grade requirements. The boards were divided into two groups of the same size, which constituted the wet and the dry samples. Each sample was further separated into six different groups for testing the different strength and stiffness properties. The dry group was stacked in a green‐house for nine weeks until equilibrium moisture content was reached. Afterwards selected physical properties such as warp, checking and splitting were assessed. Destructive testing was conducted on the boards and the results were used to determine various mechanical properties. Finally, each board was assessed for density and moisture content (MC) values. The study showed that the young finger‐jointed Eucalyptus grandis timber had very good flexural properties. Both mean modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) 5th percentile strength values for wet and dry boards complied with the current SANS 10163‐1 (2003) requirements for grade S7.The values of tensile perpendicular to grain and compression perpendicular to grain strength did not conform to SANS requirements for grade S5. The other strength properties for the wet and dry groups complied with one of the three SANS structural grades. The 5 year old (48 x 73 mm) boards’ showed significantly higher levels of twist and checking compared to 11 year old boards of the same dimension. Only 46.3% of the finger‐jointed products conformed to the density requirements in SANS 1783‐2 (2004) for grade S7. There was a significant difference in density between the three age groups (5, 11 and 18 years) presented in this study. The variation in both MOE and MOR values of the fingerjointed product proved to be significantly lower in comparison to currently used SA pine sources. Based on the results from this study the concept of producing roof trusses from wet, unseasoned and finger‐jointed young Eucalyptus grandis timber has potential. However, additional research on a number of issues not covered in this study is still required for this product including full scale truss evaluations, proof grading, PU adhesive evaluation at elevated temperatures, nail plate load capacity, and the possible need for chemical treatment of the product against Lyctus beetles. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid Afrika is ‘n land wat waarskynlik ‘n tekort aan strukturele hout sal ervaar in die nabye toekoms. In hierdie studie word die gebruik van jong gevingerlasde Eucalyptus grandis hout vir die moontlike gebruik in dakstrukture, terwyl nat en ongedroog, ondersoek. 220 gevingerlasde planke van deursnit 48 x 73 mm en 36 x 111 mm gesaag van 5‐18 jaar‐oue Eucalyptus grandis bome en afkomstig van die Limpopo provinsie in Suid Afrika, is gebruik. Die produk is vervaardig met poli‐uretaan (PU) lym uit planke met vog inhouds vlakke bo veselversadigingspunt. Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om verskeie meganiese en fisiese eienskappe van die vingerlas produk vas te stel. Meer spesifiek (1) om die sterkte en modulus van elastisiteit (MOE) potensiaal van die vingerlas produk in die nat en droë toestand te analiseer, (2) om die fisiese eienskappe soos digtheid, vervorming, oppervlakbarse en spleting te ondersoek, (3) om potensiële graderingsparameters te evalueer, en (4) om die buigeienskappe van die produk te vergelyk met SA dennehout asook die SANS strukturele graad vereistes. Die planke is verdeel in twee groepe, ‘n nat groep en ‘n droë groep. Elke groep is verder verdeel in ses kleiner groepe soos buig, trek en drukmonsters. Die droë groep was in ‘n kweekhuis geplaas vir nege weke totdat veselversadigingspunt bereik is. Daarna is geselekteerde fisiese eienskappe soos vervorming, oppervlak barse en spleting gemeet. Destruktiewe toetsing is uitgevoer op die planke en die resultate was gebruik om verskeie meganiese eienskappe vas te stel. Laastens is elke plank se digtheid en voggehalte gemeet. Die studie het getoon dat die jong gevingerlasde Eucalyptus grandis hout goeie buigeienskappe het. Beide die gemiddelde MOE en buig sterkte 5de persentiel waardes van die nat en droë groep het voldoen aan die huidige SANS 10163‐1 (2003) vereistes vir graad S7. Die sterkte‐eienskappe van loodregte trekkrag en loodregte druk het nie die vereistes vir SANS graad S5 gemaak nie. Die ander sterkte‐eienskappe van die nat en droë groep het voldoen aan een van die drie SANS strukturele graadvereistes. Die 5 jaar‐oue (48 x 73 mm ) planke het beduidend hoër vlakke van draai‐trek en oppervlakbarste getoon as die 11 jaar‐oue planke van dieselfe dimensie. Slegs 46.3% van die vingerlas produk het voldoen aan digtheidsvereistes vir SANS graad S7. Daar was ‘n beduidende verskil in dightheid tussen die drie ouderdomsgroepe (5, 11 en 18 jaar). Die MOE en buigsterkte‐waardes van die Biligom produk het beduidend laer variasie as huidige SA denne houtbronne getoon. Die resultate verkry in die studie toon dat die konsep om dakkappe te vervaardig van nat, gevingerlasde jong Eucalyptus grandis hout die potensiaal het om suksesvol toegepas te word. Bykomende navorsing oor ‘n aantal faktore wat nie in hierdie studie ingesluit is nie word steeds benodig. Dit sluit in ‘n volskaalse dakkap evaluasie, proefgradering, PU lym evaluasie by hoë temperature, spykerplaat ladingskapasiteit en die moontlike noodsaaklikheid van chemiese behandeling van die produk teen Lyctus kewers, insluit.

La connaissance du comportement au feu des structures est primordiale pour la maîtrise des risques en situation d’incendie. Pour le bois, matériau combustible, des travaux expérimentaux et de simulations numériques ont montré que ce matériau avait un comportement intéressant en situation d’incendie, car il se consume de façon maîtrisable. Cependant, ces travaux restent limités au regard de la complexité du comportement du matériau, des composants et des assemblages à base de bois. L’étude de la stabilité au feu des structures bois nécessite la connaissance de l’évolution des caractéristiques mécaniques et thermiques des liaisons (résistance et rigidité) dont dépend le comportement mécanique des structures. Pour une meilleure compréhension du fonctionnement mécanique des assemblages en situation d’incendie, la mise en place de modèles numériques, validés par essais, est nécessaire. Dans cette étude, l’objectif est d’utiliser un modèle numérique le plus précis possible afin de définir des méthodes simplifiées de calcul d’assemblages, facilement utilisables par les professionnels. Les résultats d’essais réalisés sur les assemblages bois-bois et bois-métal servant de base à la validation des modèles du comportement thermomécanique sont présentés. Il s’agit d’essais de traction longitudinale, transversale et d’essais de flexion sous conditions normales et sous actions thermiques normalisées. L’étude thermomécanique des assemblages est effectuée à partir de deux maillages tridimensionnels différents pour les calculs thermique et mécanique. Pour le modèle mécanique, les discontinuités sont prises en compte à travers des éléments de contact aux interfaces des pièces assemblées. Pour le calcul thermique, le maillage est continu et la résistance due au contact entre les éléments est ainsi négligée. Les modèles mécaniques et thermiques sont validés sur la base des résultats expérimentaux (courbes force-glissement et températures). Le modèle mécanique permet par ailleurs d’analyser la distribution des contraintes au sein des assemblages et d’évaluer l’influence de différents critères élasto-plastiques ou de rupture représentant le comportement mécanique du bois. Enfin, le modèle thermomécanique, a permis de simuler le comportement des assemblages testés en situation d’incendie. Le résultat utilisé pour valider le modèle thermomécanique est la durée de résistance au feu de l’assemblage. Cette durée est définie à l’aide des courbes glissement-temps obtenues par le modèle numérique. De bons résultats sont obtenus pour la prédiction des temps de rupture. L’évolution de la distribution des efforts sur les différents organes en fonction de la durée d’exposition au feu est aussi présentée. Ainsi, le modèle développé dans ce travail permet de bien représenter le comportement thermomécanique des assemblages étudiés. Il représente aussi un outil intéressant pour analyser le comportement au feu d’assemblages constitués de plusieurs organes métalliques. Il permet de servir de base pour développer une approche multiparamètre basée sur des plans d’expérience numérique. Ces travaux permettront de proposer des méthodes de dimensionnement simples, validés par les modèles numériques, et utilisables par les praticiens de la construction. / The knowledge of the behavior of structures under fire conditions is essential to control the risks during a fire. As timber is a combustible material, fire safety is of main importance for the development of its use in buildings. Although experimental and numerical studies exist in the literature, their number still limited regarding the variety of the configurations and the complexity of the mechanical behavior of the connections. Among the various structural components, the joints are characterized by a complex thermomechanical behavior due mainly to the geometrical configuration combining various materials (steel and timber). They govern the load-carrying capacity of the structure and its safety, as well in normal conditions as in fire situation. Due to their complex geometrical, physical and material configurations, the behavior of the connections in fire is one of the more difficult to predict. The development of generalized models requires the combination of research based both on the experimental results given by full scale tests and the development of sophisticated numerical models validated on these tests.The experimental results of tests realized on timber-to-timber and steel-to-timber connections used as a basis for the validation of the numerical models are presented. They concern tests of longitudinal and transversal tension and flexion under normal conditions and under standardized thermal actions. The thermomechanical analysis of the connections is made from two different three-dimensional meshings for the thermal and mechanical calculations. The thermal model is continuous to take account of the thermal continuity between the joint components. The mechanical model is discontinuous to consider the contact evolution between the joint components. The thermal model isused to predict the evolution of the temperature field inside the joint depending on the gas temperature. It is validated on the basis of measured temperatures during fire tests. The mechanical model is validated by comparison with the experimental results of joints in normal conditions. It allows the analysis of the distribution of stresses within the joints. The influence of various criteria to represent the mechanical behavior of timber is also studied. Finally, the thermomechanical model, based on previous both models, allowed to predict the behaviorof the tested connections in fire situation. The thermo-mechanical model is validated considering the fire resistance duration of some joints. This duration is defined by means of displacement-time curves obtained by the numerical model. The models showed a good capacity to simulate the failure times of the timber joints in fire situations. The application of the model gave the possibility to analyse the load distribution among the fasteners of the studied joints.The model developed in this work represents well the thermomechanical behavior of the tested connections. These developed and tested models can be used as general tool to analyze the behavior of a large variety of joint configurations to constitute a data base that can be used in safe and economic practice of fire engineering of wood joints.

he master’s thesis consists of a case study of an observation tower design made of glue laminated timber and steel. There are two different tower shapes of anchored or free standing tower and these towers are compared. One of the design is chosen and elaborated into final detailing. A short review of main issues bound with the observation towers is given. The review deals mainly with loading (mainly priniples wind loads are analised) and evaluating of towers (ultimate limit states, service limit states and acceleration comfort). The height of final construction is up to 60m. The design is formed by a space lattice structure made of glue laminated timber and steel members of different class. The members are fastened mainly by means of dowel joints with slotted-in-plates . There is a light steel stairway inserted into the main structure.