In this study, a numerical model that aimed to predict the strength and stiffness, of a single laterally loaded mechanical fastener in steel-to-cross laminated timber (CLT) connections using a Beam-on-Foundation (BoF) model, is presented. The BoF model was used to predict the ductile failure modes of steel-to-CLT connections and considered the layered structure of CLT. When compared to the European Yield Model (EYM), the BoF model was found to be advantageous as it not only predicted the strength but also the stiffness of the connections. A comparison of the slip modulus and strength from BoF model simulations of experimental tests carried out on steel-to-CLT connections showed good agreement with the experimental results. Using the BoF model, the influence of; (i) density, (ii) deck layer orientation, (iii) embedment behaviour, (iv) dowel diameter, (v) steel plate thickness, and (vi) embedment length, on steel-to-CLT connections was investigated in a parameter study. The results presented herein highlight the benefit of the BoF model that considers CLT layer specific embedment behaviour in determining the shear capacity and stiffness of steel-to-CLT connections.

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has become popular as a construction material and the design of CLT connections is typically based on empirical equations with an average embedment strength of the wood-based product. The experimental study presented herein aims at enhancing the understanding of the relationship between the CLT embedment behaviour and the single layers it is composed of. Non-linear embedment stress–displacement relationships were measured in 244 full-hole and half-hole embedment tests on structural timber boards as well as on CLT produced of parts of the same boards. Three different fasteners, namely a steel dowel with a diameter of 12 mm and the threaded part of screws with a nominal diameter of 6.5 mm and 10 mm, were studied. The design of the experiments allowed to validate a simple mechanical model with parallel springs for the CLT, which showed good agreement with experiments. In addition to a validation of the non-linear spring model, this unique experimental data-set is further exploited in a comparison with empirical equations and for the derivation of a non-linear embedment ratio, between parallel and perpendicular to the grain embedment stresses, over the displacement. Knowledge of the relationship between the non-linear embedment behaviour of the single layers and the CLT element can be further exploited in the engineering design and numerical modelling of CLT connections with dowel-type fasteners. 

Design for efficient assembly is essential to further enhance the competitiveness of cross-laminated timber building systems for multi-story timber structures. This requires a holistic view from the design of the load bearing structures by structural engineers, over the production, pre-fabrication, and transport to the assembly of the structural elements on-site, which often is done by different companies with input from different stakeholders in the construction process. Especially the design of connections between CLT elements, and CLT and other construction materials and products, as well as the size of CLT elements and possibilities for pre-fabrication are crucial for an efficient assembly process. The paper summarizes findings from expert interviews with a focus on Sweden along the before-mentioned value chain, with the aim to identify current practice and potentials for further improvements. Design for efficient assembly starts at the early-stage design and involves all stakeholders in the design construction process. The reduction of uncertainties in the design and assembly process of multi-storey CLT structures as well as knowledge and experience transfer could lead to more efficient design. The identified requirements for efficient assembly should be combined with a life cycle analysis to quantify the potential for a reduction of the carbon footprint of CLT-based building systems, which is the aim of the ongoing research project ‘Improving the competitive advantage of CLT-based building systems through engineering design and reduced carbon footprint’.

The rotational stiffness and moment capacity of wall-to-floor connections in platform type CLT structures, as influenced by the connection type, wall and floor thicknesses, and the load level in the CLT wall, were experimentally investigated. For determination of the nonlinear moment-rotation behavior of the connection, a novel test setup with simultaneous loading of the connection by two hydraulic actuators, in combination with digital image correlation (DIC), was used. Findings from this study allow for enhanced engineering design of CLT structures by considering the connection stiffness and its dependence on the investigated influence factors.

This chapter aims at highlighting the benefit of numerical methods and their broad application in the field of wood, engineered wood-based products (EWPs), structural elements including glued-laminated and cross-laminated timber, and engineered timber structures. It focuses on the hygrothermo- viscoelastic material behavior of these elements and structures as a consequence of the behavior of wood materials. After motivating the need for models of wood, different types of numerical models and their application for determination of mechanical properties and dimensional stability of wooden boards, strand- and veneer-based engineered woodbased products, including glued-laminated and crosslaminated timber, as well as of connections in EWPs are reviewed and application examples are given. Methods and application examples are furthermore provided for moisturerelated stresses and deformations in timber structures, the influence of connections on the structural response, instability of structural systems, and modeling of prefabricated frame structures, before modeling of historical structures of wood is discussed. The chapter ends with discussing bottlenecks in modeling of wood materials and timber structures, which might be a starting point for further improvements and novel modeling strategies. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.

Embedment strength and stiffness of steel dowels in spruce and birch solid wood were investigated in an experimental study, taking into account the moisture and connection assembly history. Thus, in addition to the effect of different mechanical properties of wood at different moisture contents, the effect of changes in the moisture content between the steps of: drilling the dowel hole, assembly of the dowel, and testing of the specimen on the embedment strength and stiffness was studied. Full-hole embedment tests with 12 mm steel dowels showed a decrease in embedment strength with increasing wood moisture content, while the elastic embedment stiffness was not influenced. Drying the wood specimens after the dowel was inserted yielded up to 50% higher elastic embedment stiffness compared with connections drilled and assembled when the equilibrium moisture content was reached. Application of an artificial crack showed only a moderate effect on embedment strength and stiffness, while the ductile embedment behavior was maintained.

Material properties of wood under compression perpendicular to the grain and rolling shear are important for the engineering design of timber structures. This regards the short-term stiffness and strength, their dependence on the moisture content of wood, as well as the time-dependent behavior. Norway spruce clear wood properties in the transverse plane of wood were studied inan experimental campaign exploiting an earlier developed biaxial test setup. The moisture dependence of the stiffness and strength and the short-term time-dependent creep deformations under compression in the radial direction and under rolling shear were characterized. Loading and unloading stiffness, as well as the strength, were determined in quasi-static tests at five different moisture contents from 4% to 29%. The elastic and viscous stiffnesses were identified in creep tests at three compressive stress levels of 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 N/mm2, and at two rolling shear stress levels of 0.33 and 0.50 N/mm2. The test data complements the existing experimental database, especially with novel data regarding the moisture dependence of the rolling shear strength, which showed less moisture dependence than the compressive strength perpendicular to the grain. The results of the creep tests revealed different material properties for the different loading and material directions of wood.

The aim of the research presented herein is to investigate the mechanical behaviour of cross-laminated timber (CLT)-to-concrete dowel-type connections. For reliable timber-concrete-composite structures, mechanical connections between the two construction materials are of great importance. This paper investigates the nonlinear load-displacement behaviour, giving access to the stiffness and strength, as well as ductile connection failure modes, of a CLT-to-concrete composite connection using a Beam-on-Foundation (BoF) model. The latter is a numerical model that utilizes non-linear springs for the interaction between the fastener and the surrounding CLT and concrete materials. The influence of: (i) fastener diameter, (ii) initial slip, (iii) concrete embedment properties, and (iv) axial fastener resistance due to friction, on the connection shear capacity and slip modulus, was investigated in a parameter study. The nonlinear load-displacement response, connection stiffness and strength predicted by the BoF model were moreover compared to laboratory tests and the European Yield Model (EYM), which supported the validity of the BoF model. In addition, it was shown that the BoF model could enhance the prediction of the slip modulus compared to the current design regulations in Eurocode 5.