Comparison of models and tests on bottom rails in timber frame shear walls experiencing uplift

The authors present two different studies: one experimental study and one where analytical models developed to calculate the splitting failure capacity of bottom rails in partially anchored timber frame shear walls are evaluated and validated. The experimental study was divided into three parts with specimens matched to each other: (1) first the splitting capacity and failure mode of bottom rails subjected to uplift were studied; (2) then material properties such as tensile strength perpendicular to the grain; and (3) fracture energy were determined by testing specimens cut from the specimens belonging to study (1). The experimental results were compared with models based on a linear fracture mechanics approach presented earlier, using as input values results from (2) and (3). Almost all tested models show good agreement with the test results. The models showing the best agreement have been selected and proposed to be used as basis for calculation of the splitting failure capacity of bottom rails in partially anchored timber frame shear walls.