Load distribution of CLT under in-plane concentrated compression loading

• Author / Creator

  Farboodi, Hossein

• CLT panels are widely used in mid- and high-rise timber building structures, but the application of in-plane compression loads to its edges presents a significant challenge. The Canadian Standard Association (CSA O86) assumes that the load is uniformly distributed across the entire panel, but there is no guidance for cases where the load is concentrated on a small panel section, such as a CLT wall. As a result, the loads tend to dissipate as they move towards the underlying supporting structure, leading to lower stress levels than those experienced at the contact surface. Despite the limited number of studies on the in-plane load spread angle for CLT, no appropriate design procedures are currently available. This study aims to investigate the load distribution behaviour of CLT panels under in-plane compression loading and develop a reliable model to estimate the load spread angle in CLT structures.
  After validating the finite element models simulated by ABAQUS software through 18 laboratory tests and the digital image correlation (DIC) method, the project examined the load spread angle of CLT panels under in-plane concentrated compressive loads. The study investigated this angle based on three parameters: the aspect ratio of CLT, the loading area width to panel width ratio, and the transverse layer percentage under two load application scenarios: the load applied at the middle and the edge of the CLT panel.
  The results indicate that the transverse layer percentage is the most influential factor affecting the load spread angle. Increasing this parameter from 13% to 50% resulted in the angle increasing from 10° to 18° for an aspect ratio of 0.59, 12° to 17° for an aspect ratio of 0.88, and 12° to 14° for an aspect ratio of 1.25. Moreover, this study recommends two empirical load spread angle and K-factor equations for each loading case through multiple regression analyses to predict the load spread angle and the maximum stress value of CLT panels under in-plane concentrated compressive loads.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Load spread angle

• Graduation date

  Fall 2023

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-x2ct-sr20

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.