Service life modelling of timber structures

Numerical Modelling of Timber Braced Frame Masonry Structures (Dhajji Dewari)

This paper presents numerical modeling technique for Dhajji-Dewari structures (timber-braced rubble stone masonry), and its application for the evaluation of in-plane force-deformation capacity of Dhajji wall panels of different configuration of bracings. Dhajji structures are mainly composed of vertical and horizontal timber posts and braced using diagonal bracings and horizontal studs. Wall o...

Extending the Service Life of Timber Railway Bridges

Times of downturn in economy, tough competition, high costs, and large amounts of capital required for replacements have created growing need for cost cutting measures and for seeking better return on investment. This has also placed an increasing emphasis on maintenance practices to extend the service life of existing railroad bridges. This paper outlines the various factors which playa role i...

Composite Repair of Timber Structures

Towards practical carbonation prediction and modelling for service life design of reinforced concrete structures

Amongst the scientific community, the interest on durability of concrete structures has been high for quite a long time of over 40 years. Of the various causes of degradation of concrete structures, corrosion is the most widespread durability problem and carbonation is one of the two causes of steel reinforcement corrosion. While much scientific understanding has been gained from the numerous c...

Curved Folded Plate Timber Structures

Current research at the laboratory for timber construction IBOIS at EPFL focuses on shell structures. Two main families are investigated: shells made of linear elements, as timber rib shells, and shells made of surface elements, typically folded plate structures. With regard to timber rib shells, bent linear timber elements are used to create the shape of a shell. With folded plate structures, ...