Finite element simulation of single edge notched timber arch

This paper describes the numerical analysis of the three-point bending test of glued- laminated timber arches with the fibers aligned with the longitudinal direction. The arches were cut with the vertical notch of 0.5 or 0.25 times the cross-sectional height in the middle of the arch span of 1700 mm or 1830 mm. The 2D homogeneous orthotropic constitutive model of tensile and shear fracture in timber, which has been recently proposed by the authors, was used for the non-linear finite element simulation. The off-axis and the compact tension test results, from the authors' experimental campaign, were used to calibrate the model components. These are (i) orthotropic failure criterion, (ii) crack-type criterion, and (iii) cohesive (traction-separation) law for a crack along or across the grain. The numerical results show that the model can adequately simulate the quantitative response of the arches, including both the linear and non-linear behavior. Furthermore, the model captures well the most distinctive features of the cracking. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper presents a numerical analysis of the three-point bending test of glued-laminated timber arches with the fibers aligned with the longitudinal direction. The results demonstrate that the model can adequately simulate the quantitative response of the arches, including both linear and non-linear behavior, as well as capturing the most distinctive features of cracking.