Fire Resistance of Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Loaded Out of Plane
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 12
Abstract
This paper describes bending tests at ambient temperature and large-scale fire tests of cross-laminated timber (Xlam) floor panels. Three specimens exposed to standard fire curve were loaded out-of-plane with different levels of uniformly distributed load, and in two cases collapse was reached. Other unloaded panels were protected using different cladding systems with the aim to investigate their thermal behavior. Experimental data obtained from the tests and discussed within the paper includes modulus of elasticity and bending strength at ambient temperature, temperature distribution, charring depth, charring rate, residual cross section, midspan deflection, and time to failure in fire conditions. This data was compared with numerical results obtained by implementing a finite-element model in Abaqus software package for sequential thermal and structural analyses, demonstrating the accuracy of the model. The overall fire performance of the Xlam panels was satisfactory; times to failure of 99 and 110 minutes were found, respectively, for the unprotected and protected panels loaded with 21% of the mean failure load at ambient conditions.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge Fermacell, Knauf Italia, Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme, Rothoblaas, and Stora Enso for material supply. The authors wish to extend their gratitude to the technicians of the Fire Behaviour Laboratory of Ivalsa Trees and Timber Institute, San Michele all’Adige, Italy, for technical support.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 12 • December 2013
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 18, 2012
Accepted: Dec 5, 2012
Published online: Dec 7, 2012
Published in print: Dec 1, 2013
Discussion open until: Feb 11, 2014
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