Timber-framed partition walls and their restraining effect on warp in built-in wall studs – A model for spring

The shape of timber changes due to variations in moisture content (MC). A poor way of designing and/or erecting a structure may result in excessive deformation. An analytical model, which explains spring in a partition wall, is presented. The model is used for parametric studies of various properties such as longitudinal shrinkage coefficient, modulus of elasticity and cross-sectional size of the timber studs and stiffness of the cladding. With respect to spring, a problem is likely to occur when erecting a wall with single-sided cladding in a drying climate and the structure will benefit from relatively stiff studs and weak cladding.