In-Plane Investigation of Log Walls with Various Orthogonal Joineries Employing Finite Element Modeling

Abstract

ABSTRACT Log house construction is a well established style of home building across many centuries. Orthogonal joineries classically guarantee structural strength in log house construction. The paper investigates the structural response of log walls with orthogonal, standard, and Butt-and-Pass joineries under lateral loads. Finite element models are developed and validated through comparisons with available experimental results. Various parametric studies are presented assessing the effect of the penetration length, openings, reinforcement methods, log profiles, and log wall orthogonal joineries on the lateral strength and stiffness of the wall systems. The study indicates a significant impact of these parameters on the log wall lateral load-resisting behaviour. Finite element models show that the log walls with the TR system (three bottom and three top logs were tied with the rods) demonstrated the greatest maximum lateral resistance, followed by the Tie-down system. Generally, a greater initial stiffness was indicated in the log walls with the Tie-down system, followed by the TR system.