Comparison of the mechanical behaviour of wall-to-floor connections for different fastener lengths used in C16 CLT panels

Kashyap, Rimjhim, O’Ceallaigh, Conan, McGetrick, Patrick J., & Harte, Annette M. (2026). Comparison of the mechanical behaviour of wall-to-floor connections for different fastener lengths used in C16 CLT panels. Engineering Structures, 353, 122279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2026.122279

Abstract

In recent times, with an increased focus towards sustainable and innovative structural materials, cross-laminated timber (CLT) has been shown to be an excellent product in terms of both structural properties and environmental impact. In Europe, CLT is primarily manufactured with strength class C24 timber or a combination of C24 with small proportions of class C16 timber in the internal layers and as such, there is significant research related to the structural properties and construction using C24 CLT. However, it is important to establish properties for CLT manufactured from lower-grade timber as the supply of C24 grade timber is readily available in central Europe but many other regions are limited to lower grades. This paper is focused on examining the behaviour of wall-to-floor CLT connections in assemblies using C16 grade timber and aims to provide evidence to ensure existing Eurocode design guidelines are valid for lower-grade material. Commercially available angle brackets have been studied for three different fastener lengths by subjecting them to compression and shear loads. The characteristic values obtained from the experimental results are compared to the values obtained from the analytical models of current design codes. These results shall inform the behaviour of CLT panels manufactured from lower-grade timber in combination with typical connectors and thus facilitate the optimal connection design of CLT connections in structural mass timber systems constructed using lower-grade CLT.

Funder

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Publisher

Elsevier

Rights

CC BY

cb

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