Abstract

This research is a comprehensive investigation into the factors contributing to the lateral resistance force and initial stiffness of log walls in log houses. Contributing factors include the type of log used, the method of bonding the corners, the presence of geometric irregularities, the effect of vertical loads, and the coefficient of friction between logs. The study uses a finite element modelling approach to evaluate the effect of these factors on the lateral resistance force and initial stiffness of log walls. Once the model is developed, small- and wall-scale experiments validate the model. Parametric studies are conducted to evaluate the effects of the reinforcement systems with different steel rod configurations on the log wall resistance force and initial stiffness. Various parametric studies are presented assessing the effect of the penetration length, openings, friction, pre-compression load, aspect ratio, reinforcement methods, log profiles and wall’s orthogonal joineries on the lateral strength and stiffness of the wall systems.
The findings of this study provide insights into ways to improve the design and construction of log houses, enhancing their lateral resistance capabilities. This, together with increasing the safety and stability of log houses, facilitates the building industry with a deeper understanding of the lateral behaviour of log walls with different bonded corners.