DEVELOPMENT OF AN INNOVATIVE STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR MULTISTOREY TIMBER BUILDINGS WITH INCREASED SERVICE LIFE – THE CRESTIMB PROJECT

CRESTIMB aims to develop an innovative timber system for multi-storey buildings with open spaces. The system includes softwood or hardwood glued-laminated timber (glulam) columns and beams connected with innovative moment resisting connections, and dowel-cross laminated floors. This paper focuses on the description and identification of the structural system, in addition to the experimental programme that aims to assess the short- and long-term performance of the system components, which includes mechanical tests on small wood samples, and full-scale tests. Test results will serve as input to advanced numerical modelling to investigate the long-term behaviour of the selected components considering the complex rheological behaviour of wood under variable indoor climates, with the objective to ensure an increased service life and also the possibility of reuse of components.