Fire resistance tests on timber beam-to-column shear connections

摘要

Purpose - This paper aims to present the results of an extensive experimental programme on the fire behaviour of timber beam-to-column shear connections, loaded perpendicularly to the grain. Design/methodology/approach - The experimental programme comprised tests at normal temperature and loaded fire resistance tests on beam-to-column connections in shear. Twenty-four full-scale tests at normal temperature were performed covering nine different connection typologies, and 19 loaded fire resistance tests were conducted including 11 connections typologies. Findings - The results of the fire resistance tests show that the tested typologies of steel-to-timber dowelled connections reached more than 30 and even 60 minutes of fire resistance. However, aspects such as a wider gap between the beam and the column, reduced dowel spacing, and the presence of reinforcement with self-drilling screws all have a negative influence on the fire resistance. Originality/value - The experimental programme addressed the fire behaviour of timber beam-to-column shear connections loaded perpendicularly to the grain in a systematic way testing a wide range of common connection typologies significantly enlarging their experimental background.