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

Conference paper (2023)

Authors

G. Pagella Bio-based Structures & Materials - CEG
M. Mirra Bio-based Structures & Materials - CEG
G.J.P. Ravenshorst Bio-based Structures & Materials - CEG , Technische Universität München
J.W.G. van de Kuilen Bio-based Structures & Materials - CEG , Technische Universität München
Research Group
Bio-based Structures & Materials (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2023 G. Pagella, M. Mirra, G.J.P. Ravenshorst, J.W.G. van de Kuilen
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003348443-277
More Info
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Published Date

2023

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Engineering Structures

Research Group

Bio-based Structures & Materials

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.