Modelling the lateral, monotonic deformation behaviour of cross-laminated timber shear walls with dowel-type connections

The lateral behaviour of cross-laminated timber (CLT) shear walls is mainly governed by the non-linear behaviour of connections. Commonly, dowel-type connections that exhibit a ductile force-displacement behaviour are used in the shear angle bracket and hold-down bracket connections. The numerical investigation of CLT shear walls presented herein integrates the so-called Beam-on-Foundation (BoF) model to simulate the ductile connection behaviour in FEM models of shear wall connections and full-scale CLT shear walls. The comparisons of simulation results with experimental data, as well as with engineering design equations and analytical models at the scale of the connection and the shear wall, show reasonable agreement. Due to the integrated BoF model, the shear wall model provides insight into the load distribution between connections, as well as between fasteners within connections and the load distribution over the thickness of the CLT. Despite a need for further investigations, the results of this study highlight the potential of the modelling approach to enhance the understanding of the contribution of the components of the CLT shear wall to its overall structural behaviour. This is indispensable for a safe and reliable design of CLT structures.