Bearing Strength Capacity of Continuous Supported Timber Beams: Unified Approach for Test Methods and Structural Design Codes
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 138, Issue 2
Abstract
Bearing or compressive-strength capacity perpendicular to the grain of timber beams is a troublesome issue. Not only do many different load cases occur in practice that are not covered by structural timber design codes, but also these codes provide only a basic provision and vary throughout continents. Code design rules require the standardized compressive or bearing strength to be determined by test standards. An assessment of the results of standard test methods of the European Union, North America, and Australia/New Zealand shows incompatibility. It is demonstrated how previously incompatible results can be made compatible by using a physical model and some calibration tests. The proposed model offers a consistent and simple way to bridge the differences between both test standards and structural design codes.
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Acknowledgments
The first writer wishes to express his thanks to staff members and laboratory assistants of the Civil Engineering Dept. of Auckland University, New Zealand, who cooperated by carrying out the research during the 3-month sabbatical in that country. In addition, the first writer is grateful to the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action E55, which provided the financial support given to this short scientific mission, and to Mary and Raymond Wood in England who verified the use of the English language.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 138 • Issue 2 • February 2012
Pages: 266 - 272
Copyright
© 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 12, 2010
Accepted: Jun 15, 2011
Published online: Jan 17, 2012
Published in print: Feb 1, 2012
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