Long-Span Wooden Structural Floors with Self-Tensioning System: Performance under Asymmetrical Loads

This study analyzes the performance of wooden structural floors equipped with the self-tensioning system patented by the authors, consisting of a force multiplying mechanism connected to a self-tensioning tendon, which is activated automatically when the load is applied to the structural element. The paper describes the system’s difficulties when the structural floor is subjected to asymmetrical loads. The proposed solution consists of anchoring the tendon by an adhesive connection in the central part of the piece yielding a favorable redistribution of the bending moments and an effective performance in terms of deformations. The comparative study focuses on π-shape cross section pieces with spans of 12 m and 15 m, using sections without prestressing and with initial prestressing and self-tensioning system

Análisis experimental de uniones con barras de acero encoladas en maderas de castaño y elondo

This article summarizes the results of an extensive experiment designed to determine the effect of geometric and mechanical parameters on the axial strength of the bonds formed when threaded steel bars are glued into sawn hardwood timber. The studies conducted to date on glued wood joints have focused primarily on softwood glued laminated timber or glulam. In the present study, specimens made from two hardwood species with very different physical and mechanical properties were used to evaluate the effect of wood characteristics on the axial strength of such bonds. Several geometries were tested by loading a total of 190 specimens to failure. The ultimate load values found for the specimens were compared to the design values proposed in the final draft version of Eurocode 5 (prEN 1995-1-1(2001)).En el presente artículo se resumen los resultados de una amplia campaña experimental encaminada a evaluar la influencia de los distintos parámetros geométricos y mecánicos en la capacidad resistente de uniones realizadas con barras roscadas de acero encoladas en madera aserrada de frondosa. Los estudios existentes en el campo de las uniones encoladas en madera se han centrado fundamentalmente en el análisis de uniones realizadas en madera laminada de especies coníferas. Con objeto de evaluar la influencia de las características de la madera en la capacidad resistente de la unión se ensayaron probetas realizadas con dos especies de madera frondosa de características físicas y mecánicas muy diferentes. Se utilizaron diversas configuraciones geométricas. Un total de 190 probetas han sido ensayadas hasta rotura. Los valores de carga de rotura alcanzados por las probetas se han comparado además con los valores de cálculo propuestos por el Eurocódigo 5, en su versión de borrador final prEN 1995-1-1(2001)

Metodología de análisis de forjados autotesados de madera

It is described a self-tensioning system constituted by a force multiplying device which, attached to the supports of the ends of the structural element, is able to convert the vertical resultant from the gravitatonial actions into an effective tensioning action, through the movement that was induced by a set of rods. The self-tensioning system is able to offer a high performance, thanks to the beneficial effect of the opposite deflection generated by the tensioning, in proportion to the increasing of the gravitational action. This allows to design long-span timber ribbed floors using reduced depths. The complexity of calculation due to the non-linearity of the system can be obviated with the methodology of analysis developed in the article. In order to illustrate the advantages of the self-tensioning system and the methodology of analysis which were developed, six cases of ribbed floors have been analysed, with spans of 9, 12 and 15 m and variable using loads of 3,00 kN/m2 and 5,00 kN/m2.Se describe un sistema de autotesado constituido por un dispositivo multiplicador de fuerza que acoplado a los apoyos extremos del elemento estructural resulta capaz de convertir la resultante vertical de las acciones gravitatorias en una acción efectiva de tesado mediante el movimiento inducido en un juego de bielas. El sistema de autotesado es capaz de ofrecer unas altas prestaciones gracias al efecto beneficioso de la deformación contraria generada por el tesado de forma proporcional al incremento de la acción gravitatoria. Ello permite diseñar forjados nervados de madera de elevada luz empleando cantos reducidos. La complejidad de cálculo debida a la no linealidad del sistema se puede obviar con la metodología de análisis desarrollada en el artículo. Con objeto de ilustrar las ventajas del sistema de autotesado y de la metodología de análisis desarrollados se han analizado seis casos de forjado nervado con luces de 9, 12 y 15 m y cargas variables de uso de 3,00 kN/m2 y 5,00 kN/m2

Análisis experimental de las barras de madera laminada con sección tubular utilizadas en la construcción de una malla espacial

La construcción de una malla espacial empleando módulos apilables ejecutados con barras de madera laminada de sección tubular ha constituido el germen para abordar una campaña experimental del comportamiento de este tipo de piezas. El artículo presenta los resultados del trabajo experimental realizado, tanto con anterioridad a la construcción de la estructura, como los ensayos posteriores sobre barras reales reservadas durante la ejecución de la obra. Se han realizado ensayos tanto de tracción como de compresión empleando barras con diferentes esbelteces. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto el interés de las soluciones propuestas y la viabilidad de su empleo en esta tipología estructural. AbstractThe construction of a spatial grid using stackable modules of glued-laminated timber bars with box section has provided the germ for an experimental approach of the behaviour of these types of bars. The paper presents the results of experimental campaign, both prior to the construction of the structure, such as real bars subsequent trials. Both tension tests and compression tests using bars with different slenderness have been conducted. The results show the interest of the proposed solutions and the feasibility of its use in this type of structure

Experimental Analysis of Pretensioned CLT-Glulam T-Section Beams

The bending behavior of T-section beams composed of a glulam web and an upper cross-laminated timber flange was studied. The influence of two fundamental factors on the bending strength and stiffness was considered: the wood species used for the webs and pretensioning with unbonded tendons. Sixteen specimens with a 9 m span were tested until failure: eight of them were nontensioned (4 Picea abies webs and 4 Quercus robur webs) and the other eight were pretensioned using threaded bars with 20 mm diameter anchored in plates fixed at the ends of the specimens (4 Picea abies webs and 4 Quercus robur webs). Pretensioning with unbonded tendons showed a clear improvement in the load capacity of the specimens with Picea abies webs, while the difference was not significant for the specimens with Quercus robur webs. Considering deflection, pretensioning gave the advantage of an initial precamber but also generated slight variations in the stiffness as a result of increasing the portion of the section that was in compression. The variation in the stiffness depended on the relation between the compressive and tensile moduli of elasticity parallel to the grain, and its influence on the deflection was analyzed using a finite element method

Self-tensioning system for long-span wooden structural floors

AbstractA patented self-tensioning system for long-span wooden structural floors is described that increases the performance of the deflected sections in terms of both resistance and deformation. The system is based on a force multiplier mechanism composed by two connecting rods which are secured to a post-stressing tendon. The mechanical device is activated by the transmission of the load from the structural element to the supports, causing an elongation and stressing the tendon. This transmission comes with a slight vertical displacement of the supports. Throughout this system, the intensity of the tensioning force varies with the applied load; thus, a more favorable bending moment distribution from the load is obtained, and the relative deformations of the different sections of the piece are reduced. This article presents a comparative study of the structural behavior of π-shape cross section wooden structural floors with spans from 9m to 18m, comparing sections with and without pre-stress, and sections with the self-tensioning system