Browsing by Author "Mohamadzadeh, Milad"
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- Analysis of Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Assemblies under Out-of-Plane LoadsMohamadzadeh, Milad (Virginia Tech, 2014-08-19)In 2012, falls from elevation in construction industry represented 36% of the total fatalities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires workers to use fall protection systems where workers are 6 feet or more above a lower level. Anchors for fall protection systems attached to roof trusses may cause out-of-plane loading on these structures. Metal plate connected wood trusses (MPCWT) are not designed to carry out-of-plane loads and MPCWT performance under these loads are not evaluated in the design process. The goal of this research is to model and analyze MPCWT assemblies under out-of-plane loads. The rotational stiffness of truss-wall connections, and truss bracing elements are included in the structural component model. Previous experimental data of fall arrest anchor loading were used for model validation. A parametric study considering loading location, joint stiffness and dimension of trusses was conducted. The structural analog of the MPCWT assemblies were found to have first truss deflections within 4% difference, thereby the models were validated. From parametric study results, the load location was not changed the ultimate deflection in the truss assembly by maximum value of 9%. Out-of-plane joint stiffness was the parameter that caused a large difference in the deflection results, when the joists were assumed as either rigid or simple connections. The rotational stiffness of lateral and diagonal bracing should be included as model inputs for the accurate representation of experimental behavior. Truss lengths increased the deflection at the top chord of the first truss in the assembly as truss width increased.
- Mechanical Performance of Yellow-Poplar Cross Laminated TimberMohamadzadeh, Milad; Hindman, Daniel (2015-12-03)Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a structural wood composite material consisting of multi-layers of lumber orthogonal to each other creating massive wood panels. Development of CLT introduced a new concept of using wood in low to midrise buildings as an alternative for concrete and steel. Speed and ease of construction, seismic performance and carbon sequestration are advantages of CLT material. Softwood species have been traditionally used as wood structural materials while hardwood species have not. The purpose of this paper was to examine whether CLT made from fast growing hardwood species can provide sufficient mechanical performance need to be used in structural engineering applications. Yellow-poplar CLT was tested experimentally for stiffness and strength in five-point bending and four-point bending tests, respectively as well as resistance to shear by compression lading and resistance to delamination and the results were compared with American National Standard Institute/APA-The Engineered Wood Association (ANSI/APA) PRG 320-Standard for Performance Rated Cross-Laminated Timber and previous research. Bending stiffness, bending strength and resistance to delamination exceeded the required value in the standard, while wood failure in resistance to shear by compression loading was less than the required value. Shear strength of the yellow-poplar CLT was also greater than CLT produced from softwood species tested in previous research. Acceptable mechanical performance of yellow-poplar CLT confirmed in this research, could be a start point of using hardwood species in CLT structural design.