Determination of mechanical performance in wooden construction elements

This study, prepared as a doctoral thesis in the Department of Forest Industry Engineering, Graduate Education Institute of İstanbul University – Cerrahpasa, aims to determine the mechanical performances of load-bearing timber structural elements. Within the scope of this study, in the first stage, beams obtained from domestic Scots pine and fir species were tested destructively, and the results obtained were introduced into the SAP2000 program. A comparison was made in the computer program with the same material properties. In the second stage, cross-sectional dimensions were determined for the structural elements, and characteristic material values specified in TS EN 1912 and TS EN 338 standards for each quality class of Scots pine and fir species were introduced into the SAP2000 program using the same cross-sectional dimensions. Moving and dead loads were applied to the structural elements drawn in the program in accordance with TS 647 and TS EN 1995 standards. The TS 498 standard was used to determine the load values applied to the structure. The TS ISO 9194 standard was used to determine the weights of elements such as roofing and insulation materials, which are not included in TS 498. With all the loads defined in the program, the loads acting on the most stressed columns, beams and roof elements were determined from the program, and calculations were made according to TS 647 and TS EN 1995 standards with these values. As a final step, the smallest cross-sectional dimensions that each quality class of material could bear were determined. In this way, the mechanical performances of load-bearing elements in each resistance class were determined in terms of cross-sectional dimensions, cost, and carbon emissions. As a result, it was observed that the data obtained from the SAP2000 program were consistent with the actual data. It can be said that the data to be obtained from the program can be evaluated in timber structure production, provided that the timber material properties are defined appropriately. However, it has been determined that these calculations can be made by the program as long as the material properties are known correctly; otherwise, material properties should be investigated primarily. In addition, it has been revealed that significant material savings can be achieved with cross-section optimization. Advantages in terms of costs have emerged with the materials saved. It has been concluded that reducing timber structure costs can be achieved by saving material in the load-bearing structure, which constitutes a quarter of building costs, and that in this way, the cost item, which is one of the biggest obstacles to the widespread use of timber structures, can be brought to a level competitive with other types of structures. When evaluated with the production module of the structural system examined in the thesis, it was revealed that the highest carbon sequestration occurs in structures produced with C35 resistance class materials.