Load tests on ribbed timber shells for medium span roofs Artikel uri icon

Open Access

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Peer Reviewed

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Abstract

  • The historic Zollinger structure fundamentally consists of a connected grid of wooden lamellae and a curved roof shell cladding. In order to improve the stiffness as well as to reduce assembly time on site the construction concept was analysed and subsequently redesigned. Using the newly developed micro-offset node to connect the lamellae and intrinsically fixing the single or multi-layered, elastically deformed cladding to the grid, additional load-bearing capacity is activated and a significant increase in static efficiency is achieved, both of which are facilitated by automated prefabrication strategies under workshop conditions. Additionally, the increased shell-like load-bearing effect as well as the efficient manufacturing process by NC-controlled machines significantly reduce material consumption. Due to the new nodal connection, the application of elastically deformed, curved load-bearing laminated panels, and the pristine and complete conditions of the segments, the analysis model needed to be revised and redesigned: a finite element model was compared to experimental tests carried out on three different cladding specimens to gain deeper insight into the cladding-grid interaction. The deformation behaviour of these specimens under varying load configurations was then captured and assessed via dynamic photogrammetric measurement tools. This paper presents the design of the overall system, the scope in its entirety, the formulation of the finite element model and the load tests performance.