Assessment of Timber Structures

Lilita Ozola
Assistant Professor
Latvia University of Agriculture
Jelgava, Latvia
Tnu Keskkla and Jaan Miljan
Professors
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Tartu, Estonia

Summary
This study provides the description of classification system proposed by authors for assessment of
load bearing timber structures as regard anticipated their ability to resist the actions and to abide
stiff, strong and steady for all predicted service life. The classification system consists of three
classes to be determined according recommended criteria of conformity evaluated by
measurements, proof tests, repeated verification of design conditions and/or by professional
judgement.
The current work is aimed to the development of system for assessment of large span bearing
structures in order to identify structural deficiences in due time, to remedy the unfavourable service
conditions, and to undertake activities for improving the state of art with structural reliability in
practice.
Key words: timber structures, assessment.

1. Introduction
There is observed nontraditional fast-track approaches to project delivery in East Europe now,
like the problems discussied in 1980s (Feld, 1997) when new profession construction
management came into existence trained to complete the best project in the shortest possible time
and for the least initial cost, i.e., the low-bid-is-the-best-bid psychology continues to entrench
firmly in the construction industry during the last decade.
New engineering software provides the processing of information very rapidly. Result in the best
structural solution may be carried out if qualified designer peculiar to high sense of responsibility is
leading for design procedure.
The necessity for the considering the reliability level of timber structures stems from the experience
with some accidents happened and from many ecessively controversial points in reality when
structures are constructed disregarding some requirements of building codes or in the cases when
different code formats concurrently exist as the situation set in for some new EU countries. The
decisions for dismantling of structures having errors are adopted in extremely rare cases, yet at least
it should be necessary to do the record of the corresponding assessment for further service life.
Comprehensive design practice entails some risk when the most unfavourable loading situations for
whole structure or some elements are not analysed, and/or increase of deformations with time and
influence of service conditions is ignored. Tolerance of this risk varies widely between countries
and emerges from legal code system and content, and clearance in definitions of criteria for

acceptability of construction products. It is significantly when considering risk to quantify it as part

of conscious decision making process (Learning..., 2002).
The lack of acceptable criteria makes assessment vague and like a matter of personal opinion. There
is no observed some intensity in development of assessment criteria for structures due to complexity
of procedure. In order to succeed this process the risks to be assessed in existence should be
quantified in money terms for the next steps of development. Checking for safety margins and risk
analysis is a reasonable aid in assessing the contingency sum to be added to an estimated assuarance
value of the building or to be subtracted from value of estate.

2. Description of proposed classification system for timber structures

2.1

Classification system

Proposal for development of some system for assessment of load bearing structures results from
experiences that of the authors and many others. It is necessary both - from the safety and
economical considerations to classify the structures as related to thats capacity to resist sufficiently
to actions during the service life. There is made attemption to point out more significant properties
and behaviour consequences inherent timber structures. The system introduced in practice may
force to do assumption about foreseen behaviour of structure and point out the elements trended to
overstresses, and to take precautions to ensure more safety.
It is recommended to classify the timber structures in three classes (Keskkla, Ozola, 2003, 2004).
The criteria described briefly in Table 1 are presented for assessment.
Table 1.

Criteria for differentation of timber structures

Condition

FM: anticipated Failure

Mode

Minimum of criteria for classes

I
1 (brittle failure
expected)

RF: Risk, possible

2 (risk to life exists)
consequences of Failure

II

III

3 (plastic or brittle
failure mode
expected)

6 (plastic failure
mode expected)

4 (risk to life
medium)

6 (risk to life not

allowed)

DL: history of Design

Load values

1 (design loads
according decreased
values f)

2 (design loads
according normal
values f)

3 (extreme action
values and complete
models considered)

MP: checking for

Material Properties

1 (visual grading)

2 (mechanical
grading)

3 (direct controll of
properties by testing)

DM: Design Models

analysed

2 (simplified)

4 (correct)

6 (correct including
analysis of
consequences)

QC: Quality Control

level

1 (overall code
requirements are
considered)

3 (detail control of all

processes)

6 (proof tests and

careful inspecting)

IM: Inspection and

Maintenance

1 (minimum of
performance criteria
and system integrity)

2 (confirmity with
design requirements)

3 (confirmity checked
by periodical
inspection)

2.2

Description of criteria

2.2.1 Predicted failure mode (FM)

1 point - elements inherent trend towards a brittle failure (tensile elements; elements with sections
stressed in shear up to limited resistance value; glued lapped members in panel points of trusses or
frames where shear stress values variate significantly over the glueline; heavy loaded connections
on split rings, heavy loaded framed joints with inclined compressed end tensioned members,
columns inherent increased trend to loss of stability due to high slenderness ratio- more than 120
and the like);
3 points - elements with the trend towards a plastic failure mode and possibility of brittle failure
mode is low (flexural elements having sufficient restrictions of compressed edge in lateral direction,
compressed elements and elements in longitudinal buckling with the slenderness ratio 70 up to 120,
nailed and bolted joints, nail plate joints and the like);
6 points - elements with trend towards a plastic failure mode (elements in longitudinal buckling
with the slenderness ratio less than 70, massive floor structures designed to avoid the vibrations,
structures with dowel-type fasteners in joints prevented from the brittle failure, or with toothed
rings; timber structures passed through independent expertises and quality control during design and
construction).
2.2.2 Significance of consequences of failure (RF)
2 points risk to life high, social inconveniences very great. This criteria is allowed for temporary
structures and buildings having no human activities;
4 points - risk to life medium, social inconveniences considerable (livestock buildings, warehouses
and the like where small number of people are employed);
6 points - risk to life low, social inconveniences small or negligible (public buildings).
2.2.3 Values of loads, design situations and combinations of actions (DL)
1 points - the structure is checked on permanent and variable actions in fundamental combinations
using decreased values of partial safety factors or decreased values of imposed loads (EN 1990, EN
1991-1-1) ;
2 points - normal values of partial safety factors and recommended values for imposed loads are
used in calculations,
3 points - the structure is checked on permanent, variable and accident actions in all possible
combinations using normal or increased values of partial safety factors and imposed loads. The
complete action models are considered.
2.2.4 Confidence of characteristics of materials and elements (MP)
1 points materials are selected by visual grading method or new untested wood materials are used
designed according advertised (by marketing manager more often) data of mechanical properties;
2 points - materials are selected by mechanical grading method, geometric sizes are controlled, data
for mechanical properties are taken from approved specifications;
3 points materials are selected by mechanical grading method controlled by testing, geometric
sizes are controlled, safety factors for materials and elements are corrected according to the analysis
of variation of values after large sample testing.

2.2.5 Design models used (DM)

2 points simplified loading and design models are used for calculation of internal forces; but load
duration effects and influence of service conditions is encountered in resistance model;
4 points the correct design model is used for the determining internal forces, load duration and
service effects are encountered, the time-dependent behaviour (creep) of elements is considered; the
more adequate design model is analysed;
6 points - the correct design model is used and geometrically nonlinear response of structure is
considered, load duration and service effects are encountered, the time-dependent behaviour (creep)
of elements is considered, the second order analysis structure or particular elements is carried out,
or the experimental verification of structure or adequate model is carried out.
2.2.7 Quality control level (QC)
1 points - general code requirements are considered in design and construction; general visual
inspection and quality control is carried out when some deviations are disclosed;
3 points the review of design documents is carried out by the expert commission; the
manufacturing and erection processes are followed by the control measures including sampling and
testing procedures detailed in the structural design standards; the control of service conditions and
appropriate maintenance regime of structures is provided;
6 points the structure is manufactured and erected with the confirmity of design requirements, the
permanent quality control has been carried out, compliance control of materials and structures were
realised, for example, proof tests of real structures performed, regular inspecting of production
units.
2.2.6 Durability consideration (IM)
1 points the structure satisfies the primary performance criteria; the structural solution formed is
doubtful as regard possibility of moistening of timber elements under service conditions, the
protective measures are of low effectiveness;
2 points - the structure is constructed in confirmity of design requirements, the service conditions
correspond to the same as designed with some shortterm changings in time, and the necessary
protective measures are realised by the effective chemicals and treatment methods;
3 points - the environmental parameters (air humidity and temperature) are under control and
correspond to the same as designed; the effective protective measures are realised and a periodical
inspection of structures is ensured during the service.

2. Examples of assessment
2.1

Large span girder truss

Relatively large (clear span 30 m) framing system consisting of heavy glue-laminated timber trusses
supported by timber columns, and placed with on-center spacing of 7 meters, is constructed to cover
the space of industrial warehouse (Fig. 1.). The decking of light-weight steel panels attached
directly to the top chord elements of trusses serves as lateral restrictions simultaneosly. The
maximal depth of truss is 2.6 m, chords are made from glulam GL28h with section sizes - 200x360
mm. Transferring of forces in nodes is provided by dowelled connections with central steel plates.

The value of design load proclaimed by designer is 20 kN/m. Strength verification of truss proved
that sections of bottom chord inherent weakening trend to overloading on 20-50 percents according
analysis of more unfavourable design model for system to be anticipated accomplishing before limit
state.
Verification of serviceability limit state condition proved that vertical displacements of nodes are
allowable as regard elastic behaviour of elements including slips in joints (u inst L/300), and yet it
is possible that after years, when creep expected, the deflections may be will exceed the limit value.
It is pointed out that the web system of truss with heavy loaded tension diagonals (at the support
sides) is not the more reliable solution for timber structure.
The slenderness ratio of bottom chord exceeds 500 as that is free in lateral direction along full span.
The structural composition may be characterised as trended to brittle failure in limit state as it is
anticipated that tensile elements will be overstressed at first even though any kind of models to be
accomplished.

Fig. 1 Heavy timber truss system

Table 2.

Assessment of timber trusses

Condition

Points

Class

Recommendations

FM

RF

DL

II

MP

II

DM

QC

II

1. The I-st class is attached to structural system as the

result of assessment.
2. The total load on upper chord is recommended not
more than 12 kN/m resulting from strength verification of
bottom chord sections.
3. It is recommended to carry out the recurrent
observations for deformations of truses during service life
to catch out the emergency of excesses.

IM

2.2

Pitched roof trusses dismantled and installed once again

The pitched steel-timber trusses were dismantled and transported from old building and after were
installed in new site to support the roof of riding hall. There was not possible to ensure that trusses
remain intacted during these processes. Some diagonal elements have deep and wide splits over full
length. There is observed visible deflections of bottom chord for some trusses. The steel elements
are subjected to corrosion almost for all trusses.
The class I is assigned for this system with recommendation for repair in due time.

Fig. 2 Pitched roof truss system

2.3

Glue laminated frames

The space of shop building is covered by structural system consisting of glue-laminated post-beam
frames (Fig. 3) restricted in space by means of attached enclosure panels only. The free span is 20
meters, spacing 6 m, maximal depth of double tapered beams - 1050 mm, minimal depth for
section at the support 650 mm, section sizes of columns 200 x 270 mm, free height 6 m. The
normative value of snow load defined by codes for this region is sk= 1.2 kN/m2.
Extremely high percentage of overloading for both- beam and column elements in more stressed
sections has revealed when verifying the strength and stiffness conditions (EN 1995-1-1) for
predicted action of snow load and/or wind pressure. The strength conditions are satisfied for selfweight loading, and yet stiffness of beam is predicted to be ensured for first years of service life
only. Due to creep inherent glulam the deflection is expected reaching to inadmissible value.
Result in, the assesment of reliability of this structure is crucially negative. The repeated legally
signified expertise must be carried out and permanent inspection for these structures must be
ensured. The defined class from proposed system is not assigned leading to the opinion that the
classification system should be supplemented with class 0.

Fig. 3 Glue-laminated frame structure for shop building: a- frames, b-restrained support joint of
column
2.4

Learning from failure

Timber frames were installed as bearing structure for boat service building. The prefabricated units
of frames were produced from glued timber materials like that known as solid wood panels used for
flanges, and webs made from plywood. There was no protective coating made and therefore rain
suddenly coming up before roofing initiated the moistening of wood material, and the delamination
of sheating took place result in. The frame structure having extremely complicated constitution was
disclosed. Experts asked to do the judgement stated that section is constituted from two webs, one
of which being discontinued over middle part of span (see Fig. 4) and therefore succeeding for
torsion and warping of element. It is point of interest that some peculiar twisting of elements have
been observed during erection of frames. The frames were dismantled.

plywood webs

sheating

4700

2210

635
20490

Fig. 4 Timber frame structure with complicated section inherent trend to warping from plane

4. Conclusions
It is anticipated that reliability based assessment of timber structures to be developed in order to
promote the desired improvements for the following:
-

trouble-shooting for structure timely to avoid the accident;

creating of keynotes for determination of assurance rates correspondingly reliability level of

structure;
setting of requirement for reliability analysis of heavy loaded structures or their elements
stressed extremely;
accumulation of information on structure useful for thats service life when the function of
building will be changed and reconstructions take place;
scope of data, and description of service life history for novel structural designs realised and
inherent some originality or subjected any criticism by experts;
disclosing for deficiences in regulation system for construction procedure and code contents
as well.

4. References
[1]

Feld J. 1997. Construction Failure. By Jacob Feld and Kenneth L. Carper. 2nd Ed.- New
York: John Wiley & Sons, 512 pp.

[2]

Learning from Construction Failures: Applied Forensic Engineering. Edited by Peter

Campbell, John Wiley & Sons, 2002, 301 pp.

[3]

Keskkla T., Ozola L. 2003. Codified design and reliability aspects of structural timber
elements. System-based Vision for Strategic and Creative Design. Proceedings of the Second
International Conference on Structural and construction Engineering. September 23-26,
2003, Rome, Italy, Balkema Publishers, Volume 1, pp. 25-30.

[4]

Ozola L., Keskkla T. 2003. Predicted reliability of elements and classification of timber
structures. CIB-W18. Proceedings of Meeting Thirty-six. Colorado, USA August 2003, Paper
36-102-1. pp. 1-11.

[5]

Ozola L., T. Keskkla T. 2004. Reliability based classification of timber structures.

Proceedings of the 8th World Conference on Timber Engineering. WCTE 2004. Lahti,
Finland, June 14-17, 2004: Volume I: Presentations held on Monday.- pp 229-232.

[6]

ISO 2394:1998(E). General principles on reliability for structures.

[7]

EN 1990. Eurocode - Basis of structural design

[8]

EN 1991-1-1. Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - Part 1-1: General actions - Densities, selfweight and imposed loads for buildings

[9]

EN 1995-1-1. Eurocode 5 - Design of timber structures - Part 1-1: General - Common rules
and rules for buildings

[10] Timber Engineering. 1995. Step 2. Design- Details and Structural systems/ Edited by
H.J.Bla, P.Aune, B.S.Choo, R.Grlacher, D.R.Griffiths, B.O.Hilson, P.Racher, G.Steck.Netherlands.