PROBABILITY-BASED DESIGN OF A SOLID TIMBER COLUMN SUBJECTED AXIAL COMPRESSION AND BENDING

In this paper, the results of the probability-based design of a solid timber column of softwood specie and Strength Class C24 at predefined safety levels under axial compression and bending in accordance with the design rules of EC-5 (1995) are discussed. Different values of coefficient of variation (10%, 15%, and 20%) of the column strength in compression and bending were considered in order to obtain adequate cross sectional dimensions at predefined safety levels. The First Order Reliability method was invoked to check the safety of the designed section using a MATLAB program. It was found that economical column cross sectional dimensions were achieved at lower target safety index. It was also found that the results obtained from the failure of the column due to axial compression were more economical in terms of material consumption compared to the results obtained due to column failure in bending. However, the results obtained all satisfied the design criteria in compression and bending.