Thin-walled timber structures: An investigation

This paper presents an investigation on the structural potential of thin-walled timber structures compared to cold-formed steel and aluminium structures. The paper shows that manufacturing thin-walled timber profiles is possible. The manufacturing process is introduced herein. Specifically, short composite thin-walled timber Cee-sections (500 mm long) were fabricated by gluing together thin softwood (Araucaria cunninghamii) veneers (1 mm thick). Two types of Cee-sections were considered, one with an intermediate web stiffener to increase the local buckling capacity of the profile and one without. The profiles were tested in compression and the test results are presented and discussed in the paper in terms of structural behaviour and performance. A Finite Element model was also developed. Non-linear geometric analysis was carried out, with assumptions on observed delaminated areas, and the model was found to match the test results with reasonable accuracy. Further research directions are proposed in order to provide efficient and lightweight sustainable structural products to the construction industry.