Structural analysis of two King-post timber trusses: non-destructive evaluation and load-carrying tests

Abstract

The misunderstanding of the overall behaviour of traditional timber trusses can result in incorrect strengthening interventions or, frequently, on their replacement. Timber roof structures need a more concise knowledge of the real behaviour to determine internal loads and control the load transfer. For that, laboratory tests on scaled or full-scale specimens of members, connections and trusses are needed. In this paper, an accurate geometric and mechanical evaluation of the timber elements of two Kingpost timber trusses, based on grading results with data gathered from non-destructive tests (NDT), including mechanical evaluation of the modulus of elasticity in bending (MoE), followed by full-scale carrying tests were performed. The trusses were reassembled in laboratory and submitted to a series of symmetric and non-symmetric cyclic tests, according to the Limit States. Strengthening techniques evaluated in precedent research steps were used in a second phase of the load-carrying tests.