Measurement and Modelling of Long-Term Creep in Glued Laminated Timber Beams Used in Structural Buil

Long-term creep deflections in 65 glued laminated (glulam) and solid timber beam specimens have been monitored under different environmental conditions over the past 8 years. The main variables were the ambient conditions, the size of section, the applied stress, surface coating, and type of timber. The creep behaviour of glulam in four real structures has also been monitored for up to 5 years. Results obtained from the 'laboratory'studies were used to develop a simple model for the prediction of creep. Comparisons with results from real structures give good support to the proposed model. Comparisons are also made with the provisions of Eurocode (EC) 5.

H.M.S. Abdul-Wahab, G.D. Taylor, W.F. Price and D.J. Pope