Citation

Jong F, Clancy P. Fire Mater. 2004; 28(2-4): 209-225.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

There has been considerable research in recent times on light-timber framed structures in fires. These structures have included horizontal (floor-like) panels in bending, and walls under eccentric and approximately concentric vertical loading. It has been assumed that these structures behave elastically and hence the elastic modulus of wood in compression is the dominant mechanical property. It has also been assumed that the elastic modulus is a function of temperature alone. It has always been expected that compression properties would be significantly affected by moisture and stress. However, these variables have been largely ignored to simplify the complex problem of predicting the response of light-timber framed structures in fire. Full-scale experiments on both the panels and walls have demonstrated the high level of significance of moisture and stress on the time-to-failure for a limited range of conditions. Described in this paper is an overview of these conditions and experiments undertaken to obtain compression properties as a functions of the variables-moisture, stress and temperature. Creep models for incorporating these variables are proposed. The significance of creep behaviour in comparison with elastic behaviour is evaluated.