Strength analysis of wooden curved beams

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to calculate two versions of wooden curved beam which is a part of a frame structure. The chosen material is stated as glued-laminated timber. The study demands examination through comparison of such results as values of forces, bending moments and deflections in order to determine a more effective cross-section from the economical point of view of using timber as a structural material. The work was accomplished as a final project of bachelor degree education. The base for the calculations was Eurocode norms with consideration of Finnish National Annex. This study was carried out in several designing programs such as AutoCAD and SCAD Office. AutoCAD was used in order to create the initial design model, and then it was exported to SCAD where the needed loads were applied and the calculations were completed. Theoretical information was gath-ered from literature, handbooks and the Internet; the calculations are based on official Eurocode 5 norms. The aim achieved was to compare two wooden beams from the efficient cross-section value point of view. The comparison of the schemes also proved the presumable differences in forces values and values of bending moments. Further study is required to evaluate the real possibility of applying these results from economical point of view in an entire construction project for the whole life cycle.