Dynamic behaviour of cross-laminated timber panels: finite element modelling and modal testing

In recent years, the drive towards sustainable building materials has increased the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in construction. To meet comfort requirements, it is essential to understand and improve the vibroacoustic performance of these structures. This presentation is part of a larger PhD project aimed at enhancing this understanding by evaluating the relevance of vibroacoustic coupling between panel modes and the acoustic modes of a room under different boundary conditions. The study focuses on the dynamic behaviour of a CLT panel using finite element and modal testing. The panel has five layers and dimensions of 2 m × 1 m × 0.1 m, with strips characterized by different growth-rings patterns in their cross section. A preliminary study is conducted using finite elements on single strips to evaluate the effect of anisotropy changes due to cutting the strips from different parts of the log. The CLT panel is then modelled using two approaches: the Layered Shell Model (Layerwise Theory) and the Homogenized Shell Model (ESL-FSDT). Data from modal testing are compared with FEM results for free boundary conditions achieved in the laboratory by setting the panel on soft mounts. The different modelling approaches are compared and evaluated.