Analysis of engineered timber panels using a strut and tie model for use in folded plate structures and deep beams

This paper considers the application of a Strut and Tie model for the analysis of engineered CrossLaminated Timber panels, CLT. A Strut and Tie approach is used for "deep beams" with low span to depth ratios and has advantages for modelling materials with different properties in tension and compression plus accounting for anisotropic behaviour. The development of this model is considered for the analysis of CLT panels by determining the definition of a deep beam in this context and evaluating the effect of the grain angle. The behaviour of CLT at different timber grain angles demonstrate a complex composite behaviour influencing the strut and tie capacities. The direction of the timber grain angle is critical to the definitions of the struts and ties and therefore the capacity of the sections. The results from the experimental testing show that beam theory is unsuitable for beams with S/D ratio less than 3 and demonstrates there is some application in a Strut and Tie method for these "deep beams".