THE OPTIMIZATION OF WOOD TRUSSES CONNECTED WITH METAL PLATES USING ANSYS

The rapid growth of the world population causes an increasing demand for wood materials. As one of the most common problems seen in today's forest destructions may be able to avoided by means of the rational use of forests and processing of trees cut with optimal level and also it helps to fulfill demand of wood materials. In this study, ANSYS software has been used in order to optimize wood usage in metal plate connected wood trusses which save 25% or higher rates of wood raw material comparing to massive beams. Three different types of flat- wood truss systems have been considered in the study. The first cross sectional dimension of the truss elements was accepted as 5 x 10 nominal dimensions as can be found in the market. The elements of the truss systems have been modeled using Link1 ANSYS element. The parameters used in modeling of the link1 element were; modulus elasticity and Poisson’s ratio. First order optimization method was chosen for the optimization process. The constraints of the truss systems in optimization process were deformation and stress. The optimized trusses were manufactured in laboratory in order to check the methods appropriateness. Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) lumber and metal plate connectors were used in the construction of the optimized truss systems. The obtained values of deformation in the laboratory were similar to the calculated values of deformation in the ANSYS software. Results show that metal plate connected wood truss systems optimization can be achieved by the ANSYS software. Optimization process proves that more than 25% or higher in wood usage can be gained.