Lateral Confinement Reinforcement of Timber Under Perpendicular-to-Grain Compression

One of the most common issues encountered in the rehabilitation of timber-structured buildings is the crushing of elements subjected to compression perpendicular to the grain. This crushing results in differential settlements that decrease comfort and, in some cases, compromise the habitability of the building. This study analyzed a reinforcement method involving the lateral confinement of timber members using two metallic side plates. Experimental tests were conducted with various configurations of the bolts used to fix the plates. In addition, several finite element models were developed and validated to extend the scope of the analysis virtually. An initial reinforcement proposal was examined, in which the metal plates were allowed to move vertically with the wood’s deformation. This setup achieved only a 26% reduction in deformation. Subsequently, an enhanced reinforcement system was tested, wherein the plates were anchored to the lower vertical stud, preventing their vertical movement. This configuration significantly enhanced performance, achieving maximum deformation reductions of up to 53%. Finally, in the improved reinforcement system, the load distribution among the bolts was analyzed to support their structural design.