FE modelling of light weight wooden assemblies – Parameter study and comparison between analyses and experiments

• Correlation between test and FE analysis of a full scale wooden structure.
• The parameter evaluation showed large influence of wood beam material properties.
• Tied connection was used to simulate screwed junctions.
• Spring/dashpot elements were used to simulate elastomer junctions.
• It was possible to capture the behaviour of the floor with the FE model.

A finite element (FE) analysis of a model representing a mock-up structure previously investigated experimentally is investigated in this study. The aim is to make a correlation and calibration between test and analysis of the full scale wooden structure; both eigenmodes and acceleration levels are compared. Large scatter is found in material properties used for light weight wooden structures in literature. In this study, a parameter evaluation is therefore made to show how different properties influence the dynamic behaviour of the structure. It is shown that the wood beam material properties influence the behaviour of the light weight wooden structure FE model most.Two types of junctions are modelled and evaluated; a tied connection is used to simulate screwed junctions and spring/dashpot elements are used to represent elastomer junctions between the floor and the walls. The springs and dashpots used to model the elastomer in the junction work well in the bearing direction but need to be improved to obtain correct rotational stiffness, shear motion and friction. There are still many unknown parameters in a complex wooden structure that remain to be investigated. However, the results presented in this paper add data to be used for FE modelling of a complex wooden structure.