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A numerical study of prefabricated full-scale light-frame timber modules including inter-modular connections
Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences (from 2013). (Building Technology)ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0740-4732
Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5595-7617
Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences (from 2013). (Building Technology)ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1638-1023
Linnaeus University, Sweden.
2025 (English)In: Structures, E-ISSN 2352-0124, Vol. 76, article id 108865Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Prefabricated timber modules are increasingly used as load-bearing structures in multi-storey residential buildings. Unlike traditional applications where they serve as non-load-bearing elements within superstructures such as steel frames, these modules must now support not only their own dead weight but also imposed loads, snow loads, wind loads, and more. This means higher need of more accurate predictions of the degree of utilization for both ultimate and serviceability limit states in various structural elements. In this study, an effective structural element based 3D finite element (FE) model initially developed and experimentally validated for small prefabricated modules has been further refined. The paper aims to validate the enhanced FE model, analyze inter-modular connection slip and shear deformations under varying loads, and identify key parameters influencing racking behavior in different module types. The model is experimentally validated against two full-size modules — one designed by platform framing and the other by balloon framing — and used to simulate various load scenarios in parametric studies. The model demonstrated satisfactory prediction of the racking stiffness and strength compared to experimental results. Furthermore, simulations revealed the influence of door opening placement and differences between platform and balloon framing on the non-linear racking behaviors. Balloon framing, in particular, offers advantages for reducing shear deformations within the module. The study also investigates the structural behavior of the inter-modular connections. The observed slip deformations in these connections can significantly affect the global racking behavior of a multi module structure. For a horizontal load F = 63.7 kN, the slip deformation of the inter-modular connections become larger than the shear displacements within the test modules.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2025. Vol. 76, article id 108865
Keywords [en]
Light-frame timber module, Numerical modeling, Racking stiffness, Racking strength, Inter-modular connection
National Category
Building Technologies
Research subject
Materials Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-104085DOI: 10.1016/j.istruc.2025.108865Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105003380137OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kau-104085DiVA, id: diva2:1954709
Funder
Swedish Research Council Formas, 2019-01431Available from: 2025-04-25 Created: 2025-04-25 Last updated: 2025-05-05Bibliographically approved

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Maharjan, RajanVessby, Johan

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3738394041424340 of 47
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