Fire Endurance Model for a Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Truss

摘要

Currently, expensive and time-consuming fire endurance tests (ASTM E 119) must beconducted on wood truss assemblies to obtain fire endurance information and code approval. A less costly, yet reliable means to establish the fire endurance of wood products and assemblies would produce a favorable environment for fire-resistant wood assemblies and increase utilization of wood. The primary objective of this study was to develop a theoretical model and user-friendly computer program that predicts the fire endurance of a metal-plate-connected wood truss (single-truss model). Extensive component fire testing was conducted to develop the necessary input and submodels for thermal degradation of the wood members and connections. The fire endurance model was evaluated using ASTM E 119 test data, and reasonably good agreement was obtained. Because the ASTM E 119 test method governs fire endurance of multiple-truss assemblies, future research will involve expanding the single-truss model to a system model.