Numerical modelling of timber connections under fire loading using a component model

This paper describes a component model for dowelled timber connections under fire loading. The component model of the dowelled connection is first developed and calibrated for room temperature. The constitutive relations for dowel–timber interaction are detailed and compared with experimental results. In the fire situation, a two-step approach is used: first, three-dimensional (3D) thermal analysis of the connection is performed using a conductive model with timber properties defined in Eurocode 5 in order to calculate the temperatures in the fasteners and timber; afterwards, the mechanical analysis using a component model is carried out using mechanical properties of the steel dowel and of timber adjusted to the temperatures obtained by the thermal analyses. These properties are reduced according to Eurocode 3 and Eurocode 5, respectively. Numerical simulations are presented that allow evaluation of the model behaviour and performance. Obtained results show good agreement with available experimental data, indicating that regardless of its simplicity, the component model has the capability to accurately model timber connections under fire loading.