MODELLING OF TIMBER STRUCTURES

Abstract

Computer modelling is an essential part in the analysis and design of residential and commercial buildings as well as long-span structures. It is also a valuable tool in the development and optimisation of wood-based products, connections, and systems. A survey shows that practicing engineers are typically unfamiliar with timber structure modelling, and researchers generally lack resources for advanced modelling of timber systems. A global collaboration, including research institutes, consulting firms, manufactures, software companies, and government and associations, was initiated by FPInnovations in 2020 to develop a guide for supporting the application of numerical modelling on analysis and design of timber structures, and development and optimisation of wood-based products and systems. The guide – Modelling Guide for Timber Structures – covers a wide range of practical and advanced modelling topics, including a comparison (in terms of modelling) among timber, steel, and concrete structures; key modelling principles, methods, and techniques that are specific to timber structures; modelling approaches and considerations for wood-based components, connections, and assemblies; and analysing approaches and considerations for timber structures during progressive collapse, wind, and earthquake events. This paper provides a high-level overview of this guide, with the goal of assisting practicing engineers in application of computer modelling to timber structures, enriching researchers’ resources for advanced computer modelling of timber systems; and assisting software companies to identify the gaps and upgrade programs accordingly to accommodate advanced computer modelling of timber structures.