Analytical prediction of the fire resistance of the glulam bolted connections under coupled moment and shear

Abstract

The mechanical behavior of beam-to-column connections has a crucial influence on the lateral performance of post-and-beam timber structures. During the last two decades, a few analytical approaches have been proposed to predict the fire performance of glulam bolted connections loaded either parallel or perpendicular to the wood grain. The beam-to-column connections are normally subjected to coupled bending moment and shear force in a timber structure. However, little research effort has been paid to investigate the mechanical behavior of the connections exposed to fire under coupled moment-shear scenarios. In this paper, an advanced nonlinear numerical model was developed to simulate the fire performance of glulam bolted beam-to-column connections, and the numerical model was validated by a series of fire tests. Moreover, analytical approach based on Johansen's model was further proposed to predict the fire resistance of such connections. The developed model and analytical approach can be used as effective tools to predict the fire performance of bolted glulam beam-to-column connections, and the presented results may further support the design of glulam bolted connections for fire safety in practical engineering.