1. Influence of test methodology on the characterization of the parallel-to-grain timber embedment strength and foundation modulus of dowelsCaroline D. Aquino, Rodrigues Leonardo G., Michael Schweigler, Meta Kržan, Zheng Li, Jorge M. Branco, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: A reliable determination of the embedment strength and foundation modulus of timber elements is critical for the design and safety assessment of joints in timber structures. However, the existence of various test configurations for characterising the embedding properties of large diameter steel fasteners in timber elements poses challenges in directly comparing and utilising available test data. This paper aims to provide an insight into the influence of embedment property test methods, comparing experimental results from different test setups within the guidelines of the EN 383 and ASTM D 5764-97a standards for European softwood species, Scots pine wood (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies). In addition to the test guidelines, the thickness of the specimen and the application of the load was evaluated within the protocols. A comprehensive statistical analysis was performed to identify statistically significant differences between the groups evaluated. The results of the analysis revealed disagreement between the standards in the evaluation of the strength of the embedding, highlighting the potential bias inserted by the experimental setup and protocol. Furthermore, it was proven that the thickness of the specimens influences both the embedding strength and the foundation modulus of the wood species tested. Finally, no distinctions were observed between tensile and compressive loading within the guidelines of the EN 383 standard. Keywords: embedment strength, foundation modulus, dowel-type connections, test methods Published in DiRROS: 15.04.2024; Views: 289; Downloads: 146
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2. Preiskave lesenih okvirnih stenskih panelov s cementno-ivernimi obložnimi ploščamiMeta Kržan, Tomaž Pazlar, Ivan Grašič, Boštjan Ber, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: V članku so predstavljeni rezultati eksperimentalnih preiskav študije obnašanja lesenih okvirnih stenskih panelov s cementno-ivernimi obložnimi ploščami pri horizontalnih obremenitvah. Posebnost predstavljene preiskave je uporaba cementno-ivernih plošč pri proizvodnji okvirnih stenskih panelov, saj njihovo obnašanje še ni dobro raziskano. Preiskave so bile izvedene v dveh fazah. Ker je za strižno obnašanje panela bistveno pritrjevanje obložnih plošč na leseni okvir, so se na manjših vzorcih najprej določile nosilnosti zvez s kovinskimi paličastimi sponkami ter analiziral vpliv debelin plošč in razmika med sponkami. Nadalje so bile zasnovane in izvedene monotone in ciklične strižne preiskave različnih izvedb stenskih panelov. Preskušani so bili trije osnovni tipi panelov, med drugim tudi panel z različnima debelinama obložnih plošč. Rezultati preiskave kažejo ugoden duktilen odziv sten pri strižnih obremenitvah ter potrjujejo, da nosilnost sten zaradi različnih debelin obložnih plošč ni dodatno zmanjšana, kot to pri izračunu nosilnosti predvideva SIST EN 1995-1-1. Ključne besede: leseni okvirni stenski paneli, cementno-iverna plošča, strižni preskus, nosilnost sponke v eni strižni ravnini. Keywords: leseni okvirni stenski paneli, cementno-iverna plošča, ciklični strižni preskus, nosilnost sponke v eni strižni ravnini Published in DiRROS: 04.12.2023; Views: 492; Downloads: 192
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3. Cyclic response of insulated steel angle brackets used for cross-laminated timber connectionsMeta Kržan, Boris Azinović, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: In cross-laminated timber (CLT) buildings, in order to reduce the disturbing transmission of sound over the flanking parts, special insulation layers are used between the CLT walls and slabs, together with insulated angle-bracket connections. How-ever, the influence of such CLT connections and insulation layers on the seismic resistance of CLT structures has not yet been studied. In this paper, experimental investigation on CLT panels installed on insulation bedding and fastened to the CLT floor using an innovative, insulated, steel angle bracket, are presented. The novelty of the investigated angle-bracket connection is, in addition to the sound insulation, its resistance to both shear as well as uplift forces as it is intended to be used instead of traditional angle brackets and hold-down connections to simplify the construction. Therefore, monotonic and cyclic tests on the CLT wall-to-floor connections were performed in shear and tensile/compressive load direction. Specimens with and without insulation under the angle bracket and between the CLT panels were studied and compared. Tests of insulated specimens have proved that the insulation has a marginal influence on the load-bearing capacity; however, it significantly influences the stiffness characteristics. In general, the experiments have shown that the connection could also be used for seismic resistant CLT structures, although some minor improvements should be made. Keywords: CLT connection, equivalent viscous damping, experimental shear tests, polyurethane sound-insulation, steel angle bracket Published in DiRROS: 19.07.2023; Views: 550; Downloads: 228
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4. The influence of flexible sound insulation layers on the seismic performance of cross laminated timber wallsBoris Azinović, Tomaž Pazlar, Meta Kržan, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: This paper presents the results of an experimental campaign investigating the seismic behaviour of full-size cross laminated timber (CLT) wall systems with sound-insulated shear-tension angle brackets. The main aim of the study was to investigate the influence of more and less flexible soundproofing bedding under the CLT wall. The paper shows a comparison of lateral load-bearing capacity, displacement capacity, ductility and stiffness obtained from racking tests on uninsulated specimens and specimens with various types of bedding insulation and levels of vertical load. Moreover, an analytical procedure to estimate the lateral load-displacement response of CLT walls with bedding insulation is proposed. This model is verified by direct comparison to the experimentally determined lateral load-displacement backbone curves. The results show that the elastomeric bedding does not have a significant effect on the bearing capacity of the wall system tested, but it reduces the stiffness and increases the displacement capacity. Due to the large decrease in stiffness, the insulation causes an overall reduction in ductility. The analytical estimation proposed was able to capture the reduction in lateral stiffness and adequately predict the load-bearing capacity. Keywords: CLT wall system, insulated angle bracket, elastomer sound insulation, racking tests, lateral load-bearing capacity, stiffness, open access Published in DiRROS: 26.06.2023; Views: 493; Downloads: 374
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5. Improved seismic response of light-frame-timber panels with cement-particle-board sheathing of various thicknesses and different configurations of fastenersMeta Kržan, Tomaž Pazlar, Boštjan Ber, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Due to their comparable fire characteristics and surface preparation, light-frame timber panels using cement-particle boards (CPB) as a sheathing material present a potential alternative to gypsum-fibre boards. An experimental campaign was conducted to evaluate the behaviour of CPB light-frame-timber panels under in-plane lateral loading. Monotonic and cyclic in-plane shear tests were conducted on full-size panels, following preceding tests on the stapled sheathing-to-timber connections used in the panels. The influence of the boards’ thickness and staple geometry on the response of connections and panels was studied, also on panels with an asymmetrical CPB layout, which proved not to have a negative influence on the panels’ lateral load-bearing capacity. Furthermore, in order to improve the seismic response, panels, which had almost twice the number of staples compared to the basic panel, were tested; one variation with two rows of staples, and the other with the staples spaced closer together, such that the spacing distance was halved. The tests revealed a significant, though not proportional, increase in lateral resistance in the strengthened panels. Fastening the CPB with two rows of staples proved the better option, since subsequent failure of the CPB along the connections, as opposed to ductile failure of the staples in the basic panels, proved not to reduce the panels’ deformation capacity. The paper also compares the test results of the connections and panels to analytical results according to Eurocode 5 (EC5), the European code provision for the design of timber structures. Keywords: light-frame timber panels, cement-particle board sheathing, cyclic shear tests, sheathing-to-timber connection, asymmetrical panel, staple spacing distance, EN 1995–1-1, open access Published in DiRROS: 31.05.2023; Views: 630; Downloads: 303
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6. Composite beams made of waste wood-particle boards, fastened to solid timber frame by dowel-type fastenersMeta Kržan, Tomaž Pazlar, Boštjan Ber, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: To increase the sustainability of prefabricated timber buildings and constructions, composite timber beams with “box” cross-sections were developed in collaboration with an industry partner. They were constructed from a solid timber frame and from webs made of residual waste wood- particle boards from prefabricated timber buildings production. The developed beams’ design concepts presented in this paper were governed by architectural features of prefabricated timber buildings, geometrical limitations, available production technology, and structural demand related to various possible applications. The paper presents the results of experimental bending tests of six variations of the developed composite timber beams constructed by mechanical fasteners only. The developed design concept of composite timber beams without adhesives is beneficial compared to glued beams in terms of design for deconstruction and lower VOC emissions. The tests were conducted to study the influence of the following parameters on the beams’ mechanical behavior: (i) web material (oriented strand boards (OSBs) vs. cement-particle boards); (ii) the influence of beam timber frame design (flanges and web stiffeners vs. flanges, web stiffeners, and compressive diagonals), and (iii) the influence of stiffener–flange joint design. Besides the beams’ load-bearing capacities, their linear and non-linear stiffness characteristics were the main research interest. While adding compressive timber diagonals did not prove to significantly increase the stiffness of the beams in the case of cement-particle board webs, it increased their load-bearing capacity by enabling the failure of flanges instead of prior webs and stiffener–flange joints failure. For beams with OSB webs, failure of the bottom flange was achieved already with the “basic” timber frame design, but timber diagonals proved beneficial to increase the stiffness characteristics. Finally, mechanical characteristics of the developed beams needed in structural design for their application are provided together with further development guidelines. Keywords: composite timber beam, box beam, OSB, cement-particle boards, innovative engineered wood product, experimental tests, flexural performance, mechanical fasteners, open access Published in DiRROS: 29.05.2023; Views: 455; Downloads: 260
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7. Mechanical performance of timber connections made of thick flexible polyurethane adhesivesJaka Gašper Pečnik, Igor Gavrić, Václav Sebera, Meta Kržan, Arkadiusz Kwiecień, BogusŁaw Zając, Boris Azinović, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: This study investigates timber connections with flexible polyurethane adhesives, which prove to have the po-tential for timber-adhesive composite structures without mechanical connections for seismic regions. Results of conducted cyclic double lap-shear adhesive timber joints tests were compared with available experimental re-sults on timber connections with standard mechanical dowel-type fasteners and with results of numerical finite element analysis. The study found that the shear strength, elastic stiffness and strength degradation capacity of the flexible adhesive connections were significantly higher compared to mechanical fasteners commonly used in seismic-resistant timber connections. The latter, however, manifested larger ultimate displacements but also yielded at lower displacements. Keywords: flexible adhesive, timber connection, polyurethane, double lap-shear, cyclic loading, energy dissipation, open access Published in DiRROS: 19.05.2023; Views: 578; Downloads: 337
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8. In-plane seismic behaviour of ashlar three-leaf stone masonry walls : verifying performance limitsMeta Kržan, Vlatko Bosiljkov, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: In light of the forthcoming second generation Eurocodes (EC), the results of conducted systematic in-plane cyclic and compressive tests on three-leaf stone masonry walls are discussed following new requirements and provisions. The new proposal for EC8-3 for existing buildings is based on partial factors safety approach, though it considers different uncertainties in defining input parameters for effective seismic performance-based assessment. Prior to its application, massive calibration effort will be needed since there is no standardized method for shear testing of masonry walls. In this paper, the performance limit states damage, resistance, and displacement capacities from conducted test results were evaluated and assessed through comparison with analytical solutions and imposed limit values, as stated in existing codes. The test results provide a much higher deformation capacity than the limits provided in both existing and new proposal of EC8-3 as well as those in the ASCE code provisions. The reason for this lies in the soft, "ductile" mortar for which the presumed resistance according to code provisions should be significantly higher when considering good quality ashlar three-leaf stone masonry. Keywords: historical masonry, multi-leaf stone masonry, mechanical properties, compression tests, in-plane shear tests, failure mechanisms, drift limits, boundary conditions Published in DiRROS: 19.05.2023; Views: 537; Downloads: 278
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