Numerical and Experimental Evaluation of the Temperature Distribution Within Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) Exposed to Fire Available to Purchase

The fire resistance evaluation of a timber member is an important and complex problem of structural design. In order to solve this problem, it is crucial to have reliable information on the temperature distribution within a timber cross-section exposed to fire, and to develop a numerical model for the prediction of such a quantity. The paper reports the experimental-numerical comparisons in terms of temperature distribution within a timber member made from radiata pine LVL (laminated veneer lumber) exposed to fire. The experimental tests were performed at the University of Canterbury and BRANZ (New Zealand) on 146×60, 300×105 and 360×133 mm LVL members. The temperature distribution was monitored using several thermocouples. The numerical results were obtained using the Abaqus FE code with different conductive models. The Eurocode 5 and Frangi's proposals led to similar results characterized by acceptable approximation close to the surface. Since the accuracy reduced for deeper fibres, a new proposal based on a different variation of the conductivity with the temperature was made. The proposal led to acceptable approximation throughout the tested cross-sections.