Optimization of steel-reinforced wooden purlins

Abstract

A new structural typology of a Steel-Reinforced Wooden (SRW) purlin made of rectangular laminated wood and C-section type cold-formed steel is presented in this article. The steel C-section profile is fitted onto the wooden purlin so that both work together as a composite unit. Although the wooden sections are weaker and have a lower elastic modulus than the steel sections, the overall dimensions of the SRW purlins are no larger than the steel C-section purlin sizes. The SRW purlins also form lighter structures than either plain steel or wooden purlins and they therefore have lower CO2 emissions. In addition, lighter purlins reduce the load on the main structure, which in turn reduces the material needed for the main structure of the building. So, reinforcement of the wooden purlin with steel sections within certain areas notably improved performance when compared with ordinary single-material purlins. The use of the SRW purlins can, therefore, improve the overall sustainability of a building. The improvements were analyzed in terms of sustainability and lower weight, as a function of span length and design load. The behaviors of the single material purlins and the SRW purlin were also compared. Both material strength and deformation design criteria and their influence were studied using an analytical approach based on loading and span length. The simple, innovative, and reliable design procedure described in this study ensured compliance with all technical requirements. Moreover, the savings relating to material weight were evaluated, neutralizing the carbon footprint in all cases under analysis.