In-plane racking strength of timber walls filled with hemp concrete

Author(s): Husam Wadi, Sofiane Amziane, Evelyne Toussaint, Mustapha Taazount
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: SynerCrete’18: Interdisciplinary Approaches for Cement-based Materials and Structural Concrete: Synergizing Expertise and Bridging Scales of Space and Time Vol. 1 & 2
Editor(s): Miguel Azenha, Dirk Schlicke, Farid Benboudjema, Agnieszka Jędrzejewska
ISBN: 978-2-35158-202-2
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-203-9
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2018
Pages: 517-522
Total Pages: 6
Language : English

Abstract: The use of low carbon material in structures improves the insolation level and sound absorption and also decreases the weight of building. In response to this need, the use of bio- aggregate such as hemp shives is increasing in Europe and especially in France. Hemp concrete is now used in construction as a sustainable and carbon neutral infill wall material around timber-framed construction. This study focuses on the effect of wall dimensions on the in-plane racking strength of timber frame walls filled with hemp concrete. Two wooden geometrical configurations were used as wall units, the first was diagonal bracing walls under compression, and the second was vertical stud walls. These two types of timber walls are most widely used as structural elements in construction subjected to lateral loads. In this research, an experimental investigation of large-scale timber walls both with and without hemp concrete was carried out to investigate the contribution of this filling material against the lateral loads. The hemp walls then compared to empty frames to determine the real contribution of hemp concrete in the lateral strength of the timber wall. Based on the results obtained from the experimental tests, this study confirms, firstly, that hemp concrete has a small participation against lateral loads with wall dimensions 2.5 m height and 1.2 length. However, several studies found that hemp concrete has a high racking strength. In fact it cannot be generalized that hemp concrete has always a significant strength in timber wall. The filling material could not work mechanically against lateral load without a complete form of compression diagonal zone which make the material loaded under shear forces. This zone is related to the dimensions of the wall and is present when the ratio between the height and the length of the wall (L/h) ≥1. Within this limit, the material mechanically works, otherwise, the results are totally different.

Online publication : 2018
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00