Research on stability of CLT wall under uniform compression based on orthotropic plate buckling theory

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has been widely used in the construction of multi-story timber structures, but a method for determining the buckling capability of CLT walls has not been obtained yet. Based on the plate buckling theory and lateral restraints of CLT walls, a method for calculating the uniform-compression buckling capability of CLT walls in cases of elasto-plastic instability and elastic instability is derived in this paper. In addition, equations for determining the boundary between the elasto-plastic instability and elastic instability is also proposed. A numerical model of the CLT wall under uniform compression was established on the basis of previous experiments. The theoretical results were compared with the results of numerical simulations, and the overall error was found to be small. The proposed equations can provide good predictions for the buckling capability of uniformly compressed CLT walls to provide a basis for the design and engineering application of timber structures. •Considering the influence of one lateral restraint on the buckling capability of CLT walls under uniform compression.•A method for calculating the buckling capability of CLT walls with simply supported constraints on four sides is proposed.•The stability of a CLT wall under uniform compression is studied based on plate buckling theory.•The elastic and elasto-plastic instability of CLT wall are considered, a method to find the stability boundary is given.