Fire Testing of Point-Supported Steel-Timber Interface
Abstract
Point-supported connections are an innovative modern connection design that can benefit from the 2-way structural action of cross-laminated timber (CLT) slabs, which is typically not considered in traditional timber design. It also allows for flatter ceiling surfaces where no beams are needed to support the mass timber floor slabs. In attempt to better understand the structural behavior of such type of connection in fire conditions, preliminary unloaded fire tests were conducted to evaluate their thermal performance. The test results indicated that the presence of steel connection components does not inherently increase charring rates within adjacent mass timber elements. This paper presents the results of two full-scale fire-resistance tests under load: Test 1 had the point-supported connection fully exposed to fire and Test 2 was protected by a firestop. Both tests were able to sustain the applied load for 2-hours of standard fire exposure. Test 1 experienced charring at the CLT-steel plate interface, although at a low rate than the CLT aside to the connection, while Test 2 did not. Their mechanical behaviors were similar – protected or not. Lastly, a preliminary design approach is being proposed, although it requires further validation.
Reference
Christian Dagenais; Monireh Aram; Claire Yuan; Andrew Harmsworth. (2026). Fire Testing of Point-Supported Steel-Timber Interface. MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202604.1379.v1
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