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Timber Structures

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International Handbook of Structural Fire Engineering

Part of the book series: The Society of Fire Protection Engineers Series ((SFPES))

Abstract

This chapter examines structural fire engineering considerations that are specific to timber, which is a relatively emerging construction material for large engineered buildings. First, thermal and mechanical properties of timber at elevated temperatures are discussed. Second, failure modes specific to timber structures (e.g., adhesive debonding) are examined. Lastly, pertinent analysis techniques for structural fire engineering applications involving timber structures are presented. The renaissance of timber as a construction material, allied to its application in less common building forms, has led researchers to map many challenges that should be considered and addressed when seeking to demonstrate that an adequate level of structural fire safety has been achieved when adopting timber. In parallel, new research studies have emerged which fundamentally seek to understand the timber pyrolysis process and its translation to the enclosure fire context. These challenges and the recent prevalence of timber-associated fire research shape the content of this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), Borås, Sweden

    Daniel Brandon

  2. OFR Consultants, Manchester, UK

    Danny Hopkin

  3. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

    Richard Emberley

  4. Fire Research Group, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

    Colleen Wade

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Correspondence to Danny Hopkin .

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    Kevin LaMalva

  2. U.K. Consultancy, OFR Consultants, Manchester, UK

    Danny Hopkin

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Brandon, D., Hopkin, D., Emberley, R., Wade, C. (2021). Timber Structures. In: LaMalva, K., Hopkin, D. (eds) International Handbook of Structural Fire Engineering. The Society of Fire Protection Engineers Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77123-2_8

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