Reliability-based assessment of flexural timber components with ultimate deflection performance

Abstract

Assessing the deflection performance of existing flexural timber components is of paramount importance for making better, reliable, and substantiated decisions. The main purpose of this article is to propose four-level reliability index β and deflection criteria for updating existing flexural timber components (main beam, joist, purlin, and rafter) based on long-term deflection probabilistic model, limit state functions, and load combinations. The long-term deflection probabilistic model was obtained through creep deflection and short-term deflection model. Limit state functions were considered to be ultimate limit states of load-bearing capacity. In addition, four-level reliability index β were calculated by three live loads (residential live load, office live load, and snow live load) and seven load ratios ρ (0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0). The results of proposed four-level criterion were illustrated with the reliable safety assessment for flexural timber components.