Making the connection : Are post-tensioned CLT walls an economically sound option?
Abstract: This thesis aims to compare the cost of post-tensioned connection systems with conventional connections for the transferal of uplift forces in CLT stabilising walls. The desire for taller timber buildings has increased over time, in part due to environmental aspects but also to meet demands from an urbanizing population. For taller buildings, the horizontal load from wind increases. Due to timbers low self-weight, the uplifting force caused by the horizontal loading will be relatively large. Post-tensioning within timber structures is a non-conventional method for the transferal of uplifting forces that has been applied in only a few projects. The cost of the post-tensioning method is therefore unclear to the general engineer and has for that reason been investigated within this thesis. To gain information about the different aspects that might be affected by the connection method, interviews were held with different professionals who had worked with the post- tension method in timber structures. A cost comparison was performed for four different connection methods for stabilising walls, where the methods were three versions of the post-tension method and one with the more common angle brackets and hold-downs. The thesis was completed with a cost comparison within a case study, where the financial differences between the different connection methods for stabilising walls in a building were investigated. The case study building was based on a project currently being designed in Uppsala. Several different versions of the building were created, where the number of stories and stabilising walls of the building were changed. The connection costs for the different versions were compared to find the most cost-effective solution. The results from the stabilising wall analysis showed that the conventional connection method, was the cheaper option for stabilising walls of 4-storeys. While the post-tension method had a cheaper material cost for stabilising walls of 8-storeys and above. As the building height increased the post-tension systems became more priceworthy. The largest cost difference found between the conventional and the post-tension systems was for the 20-storey tall wall subjected to an uplift of 100 kN, where the conventional system was 76,5% more expensive than the most economical post-tensioning system. A four- storey interval was used for the analysis of the building heights. The results from the case study cost comparison followed in the same line as the results from the stabilising wall cost comparison. Both indicated that the post-tension systems became more economical compared to the angle brackets for increased building heights.
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