Influence of knots and density distribution on compressive strength of wooden foundation piles

G. Pagella, M. Mirra, G. J.P. Ravenshors, J. W.G. Van De Kuilen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

This work investigated the influence of knots on the compression strength of wooden foundation piles. The study involved 110 pile segments sawn from 18 spruce and 9 pine piles with a mean diameter of approximately 200 mm, and moisture contents above fiber saturation. The mechanical properties were determined performing both full-scale compression tests on pile segments, and small-scale experiments on discs sawn from selected segments, considering samples with and without knots. A knot ratio (KR) was defined analysing the knots layout of each wooden pile, and evaluating how the compressive strength was influenced by size, number and layout of knots. As final step, a prediction model was implemented based on the dry density and KR of wooden piles, to estimate the influence of knots on their compressive strength.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCurrent Perspectives and New Directions in Mechanics, Modelling and Design of Structural Systems - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation, 2022
EditorsAlphose Zingoni
PublisherCRC Press/Balkema
Pages1689-1695
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9781003348443
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
Event8th International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation, SEMC 2022 - Cape Town, South Africa
Duration: 5 Sep 20227 Sep 2022

Publication series

NameCurrent Perspectives and New Directions in Mechanics, Modelling and Design of Structural Systems - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation, 2022

Conference

Conference8th International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation, SEMC 2022
Country/TerritorySouth Africa
CityCape Town
Period5/09/227/09/22

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