Computational Approach for Timber and Composite Material Connection Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Abstract

Timber and composite material connection are currently a popular combination in construction industry. Although composite timber connection has been studied previously, it was based on traditional experimental laboratory work, which led to a higher cost and more time consuming. Therefore, this paper studies the tensile load carrying capacity of the composite connections by using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) which has the capability of finding optimal solutions. From the results, it can be concluded that even though the PSO fitness functions has not exactly matched the brittle behavior of the load-displacement response for both single and double shear connections, their overall tensile performance and capacity of the connections are well predicted. Therefore, the findings from this research will be benefited by timber engineers in predicting the timber composite connections behavior and capacity, particularly single and double shear connections.