Long-Term Performance Assessment of an Operative Post-Tensioned Timber Frame Structure
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 145, Issue 5
Abstract
The concept of post-tensioned timber structures has been developed and implemented since 2005. The technology relies on unbonded post-tensioned timber elements to create a moment-resisting connection. After several years of extensive experimental testing, the first buildings were constructed in 2010. Although comprehensive research has been conducted on their behavior under static and dynamic loading, limited data are available about their long-term performance. In particular, there is limited understanding of how to estimate the long-term post-tensioning losses. This paper presents two years of experimental observations on a fully monitored post-tensioned timber building: the House of Natural Resources. Additionally, a numerical approach based on a moisture-dependent viscoelastic model is presented to simulate the post-tensioning trend over time.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the ETH Foundation, Climate-KIC, and the Structural Timber Innovation Company (STIC).
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©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Sep 18, 2017
Accepted: Oct 19, 2018
Published online: Mar 13, 2019
Published in print: May 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Aug 13, 2019
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