Influence of connection properties on static and dynamic behaviour of structural wood systems

连接是任何结构体系的组成部分，对结构的性能有很大的影响。对于包含机械连接的结构木材系统尤其如此，因为这些连接通常是结构中的薄弱环节，半刚性性质导致刚度降低，并且通常是在极端负载下耗散能量的唯一来源。数值模型是研究木材结构体系性能的常用工具。最近，主要由于计算技术的进步和商业分析软件的可用性，设计师们选择从简单的计算过程转向使用数值模型，因为这些模型有可能提供更准确的结构行为预测。对于包含半刚性连接的木结构体系，缺乏关于如何进行结构分析的指导。因此，在结构分析中适当考虑连接特性是很重要的。为了提高我们预测连接的刚度和强度的能力，已经开展了许多研究项目。该研究项目将研究一个尚未被正确理解或解决的技术问题：组合荷载对连接行为的影响，进而对结构响应的影响。这是一个重要的问题，因为大多数结构都受到来自多个方向的载荷。本提案中描述的研究将最终提供可靠的信息，这将使设计师受益于结构设计软件和计算能力的进步，以产生更有效和更经济的设计解决方案。

Connection is an integral part of any structural system and has a strong influence on the performance of the structure. This is particularly true for structural wood systems containing mechanical connections, since these connections are often the weak links in a structure, semi-rigid in nature leading to reduced stiffness and often the only source to dissipate energy under extreme loadings. Numerical models are commonly used by researchers as a tool to study the behaviour of structural wood systems. More recently, due largely to the advancement in computing technologies and the ready availability of commercial analysis software, designers are opting to move away from simple calculation procedures towards the use of numerical models as these models have the potential to provide more accurate prediction of structural behaviour. For wood structural systems containing semi-rigid connections, guidance on how to perform structural analysis is lacking. It is therefore important that the connection properties be properly accounted for in structural analyses. Numerous research projects have been conducted to improve our ability to predict the stiffness and strength of connections. This research program will research one technical issue that has not be properly understood or addressed: influence of combined loads on connection behaviour and in turn on structural response. This is a significant issue, given that most structures are subjected to loading from more than one direction. The research described in this proposal will ultimately provide reliable information which will allow designers to benefit from the advances made in structural design software and computing power to generate more efficient and economical design solutions.