Investigations into the fire performance of timber-composite connections in structural applications

Project description

The international movement towards sustainable building design has increased the demand for the use of timber and other bio-based construction materials worldwide. While these materials have utility towards various structural and sustainability goals, these materials are inherently combustible and therefore pose a unique hazard in the event of fire. There exists an extensive body of literature investigating the fire behaviour of mass timber construction (e.g., cross laminated timber, CLT) in applications as walls, floors, and columns; however there is limited research focused specifically on identifying the vulnerability of the connections of such combustible structural elements. The connections of such structural elements are host to a complex interplay between heat transfer and structural mechanics that present a particular risk of structural failure when exposed to fire conditions. Connections in timber and bio-based materials (T&BM) introduce complexities that are fully resolved by existing fire testing regimes. The use of T&BM will continue to grow to achieve sustainability goals internationally. Therefore the hazards posed by T&BM connections must be addressed to provide adequate tools for fire safety engineers. This project aims to investigate the heat transfer and structural mechanics of T&BM connections under a range of fire conditions. This project will include the following objectives: 1) To survey the use of timber and other bio-based materials in structural engineering applications 2) To experimentally investigate the performance of timber and bio-based connections under both standard and real fire conditions 3) To quantify the heat transfer through timber connections and identify the consequences of the mechanisms used to fix structural elements together 4) Comment on how fit-for-purpose existing fire engineering testing frameworks and predictive tools are in characterizing the performance of timber connections

Outcomes

Project deliverables include: – Characterization of the thermal and mechanical conditions in T&BM under standard and real fire conditions – Investigate the ability for the current fire testing framework to capture the fire performance of T&BM connections – Numerical investigation of the thermal exposure of T&BM connections – High-impact research outputs to convey the findings of this project

Essential capabilities

Civil/structural, mechanical, or fire engineering background. Experience working in a laboratory environment (ideally a fire research laboratory).

Desireable capabilities

Fire engineering, experimental fire testing experience, experience as a structural or fire safety engineer. Experience authoring or co-authoring peer-reviewed scientific literature

Expected qualifications (Course/Degrees etc.)

Bachelors or Masters degree in civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, or fire safety engineering