Review of Robustness in Timber Buildings

• Timber buildings today aim for taller and larger dimensions to accommodate increased numbers of occupants.  In tall buildings, more human lives are at risk if large portions of the structure collapse progressively during catastrophic failure events. To safeguard timber structures from disproportionate collapse due to localised failures, the aspect of robustness in particular needs to be considered. In the literature about building structures the term robustness seems to be contemplated in diverse ways. Several possible approaches to define and analyse this property can be found. However, certain consensus as to what characterises a robust structure seems to exist. A review of the concept of robustness for building structures in general and timber structures in specific is presented in this paper. Certain commonly applied terminology and definitions in the context of robustness are analysed. In the literature, risk-based, reliability-based and performance-based concepts for robustness appear to be established. The first two concepts are briefly summarised. The performance-based concept is treated in greater detail to highlight different procedures of deterministic robustness analyses. Common general characteristics of robust buildings which seem to be agreed upon are summarised. Robustness provisions for timber buildings in specific are described and compared to provisions in other building materials such as steel and concrete. The development of alternate load paths during local failure seems to play an essential role in preventing progressive collapse in buildings. The literature about robustness seems to be comprehensive concerning general considerations and concerning structures built in concrete or steel but appears to be rather limited in regards to timber structures. Evaluations of robustness in timber structures seem to be focused on risk-based and reliability-based concepts in literature.

Ämnesord

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske -- Trävetenskap (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -- Wood Science (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Samhällsbyggnadsteknik -- Husbyggnad (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Civil Engineering -- Building Technologies (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Annan maskinteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Other Mechanical Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

robustness

timber structures

disproportionate collapse

progressive collapse

alternate load path

element removal

Träteknik

Wood Science and Engineering

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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