Design of

Timber
Structures :
Coursework

34. Asanka Kumarasiri

PG Diploma in Structural
Engineering 2014
 Design of Timber Structures :

CASE STUDY
TOBA SEA FOLK MUSEUM

INTRODUCTION - THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MAN AND THE SEA

Mie prefecture of Japan consists of many fishing villages housing lots of traditions, techniques
and customs through which the identity of the fishing community could be exhibited to the
outside world. The 'Toba Sea Folk Museum' was founded in 1971 with the higher motive of
preserving the knowledge and history of fishing traditions, culture and heritage for future
generations. In achieving that the museum has collected and preserved antique fishing
equipment from Mie prefecture's fishing villages, and documented the traditions and religions of
the area fishermen for more than 40 years.

The current museum facility was completed in 1992 signifying the theme 'understanding the
relationship between the man and the sea' by the architect Hiroshi Naito and the structural
engineer, 'Structural Design Group'. The museum consists of many buildings with 5 larger timber
framed halls housing the 7 main exhibition sectors. It is situated in the Uramura-cho area of Toba
city in the Mie prefecture of Japan. The exhibition halls are roofed with traditional Japanese
roofing tiles while the cladding and the structural frame is out of timber representing the identity
of Japan where timber structures are very popular. All the buildings are painted with coal tar
giving a dull black appearance to blend well with the surrounding greenery. A view of an
exhibition hall from outside is shown in the photograph 1 below. A sketch showing the landscape
view of the premises extracted from the official promotional flyer is included as figure 1.

Picture 1 : Exterior view of an exhibition

hall

The coal tar painted building is placed

among the surrounding greenery to
blend well with the environment.

Buildings are surrounded by water hence

the reflected daylight can be transmitted
in to the building through side water
edge openings.

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 Design of Timber Structures :

Figure 1 : A landscape view of the Sea folk museum premises

(Source : Promotional flyer for tourists)

FORM - THE BELLY OF A WHALE OR A BOAT HULL?

The structural form of the exhibition halls were designed such that the inside view resembles the
belly of a whale. The ribs of the whale was replaced by wooden arches fabricated by glued
laminated timber while a series of ribs were lined one after the other to form a vault which
creates the whale belly collectively. A vault is a quite suitable structural form for an exhibition
hall which needs a large free space not obstructed by any vertical members or struts.

Timber arches has allowed the designers to go up to 18m spans. The lateral connection between
arches which forms the vault was done by timber planks laid longitudinally mimicking a hull of an
inverted boat. Although the admission of light is not quite excessive as a vault where the lateral
stability is through cross bracings, the day light is harnessed by the boat hull, in ample intensities
through continuous longitudinal openings provided by avoiding a row of planks. The top opening
which can be identified as a sky light is located in the ridge line to give an evenly dispersed light
throughout the entire space and a direct view of the sky. The lateral openings placed at the
bottom of the longitudinal facades along the waters' edge captures the light reflected from the
surrounding water edge and the built environment, which infiltrates deeper in to the contained
space and dissipates quickly. It is interesting to notice that the carefully detailed manipulation of
daylight admission is possible due to the vaulted structural form of the building. The daylight
harnessing arrangement and the whale belly form of the structure can be clearly observed from
the interior view of an exhibition hall portrayed in the picture 2 below.

Picture 2 :Interior view of an exhibition

hall

The openings along the ridge line and the

side bottoms of either edges manipulate
the daylight penetration in to the building
in a subtle methodology.
Bothe the whale belly and the boat hull
like features can be seen through the
interior.

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 Design of Timber Structures :

THE STRUTURAL DESIGN WITH TIMBER - WHY? AND HOW?

The main theme of the museum was to illustrate the relationship between the man and the sea.
With that regard a material like wood through which a boat or a ship can be signified becomes
ideal whereby the appearance can be made with the natural textures themselves. Apart from
that a touch which shows a Japanese flavor should also have to be added in to the structure. A
timber structure would be the best option for that, symbolizing the traditional and vernacular
Japanese architecture consisting of lot of timber craft. Fabricating an arch will not be practical
with solid timber. But an arch formed with glued laminated (gluelam) members was quite an easy
task with Japanese state of art of the timber technology those days.

The building consists of a series of frames each having an arch on top of two columns, spaced
1.5m apart longitudinally to form the vault. The roof covered with Japanese traditional tiles is
supported on a 3d timber frame which again is supported on to the arch to take the load to the
foundations through compressive forces only. As earlier mentioned the lateral connections
between the frames to make the vault is through timber planks. With regard to the lateral
stability of the whole structure the two ends of the vault are closed by a grid of timber members
with timber plank covering which provides an additional bracing, while the vault itself has a high
lateral stability in the longitudinal direction. The foundation of the structure was of reinforced
concrete with strong concrete parapet walls on either side of the structure providing an extra
stiffness to the bottom joint of each frame. The above points are illustrated in the picture and the
figures included below.

Picture 3 :Interior view of an exhibition hall

Glued laminated structure with the unit

element consisting of the column, sloping
frame and the arch is clearly visible in the
whale belly form vault.
Reinforced concrete parapet walls on which
the timber columns are supported can be
seen.
Timber frame closed with planks which
provides the stability against the horizontal
loading in the transverse direction cam be
noted in the far end.

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 Design of Timber Structures :

Figue2 : Assembly of Main structural Elements of an Exhibition hall

The planks are laid on 25mmx25mm sections laid at a close spacing which supports on the
perlin type 50mmx50mm sections. These are supported on 3 dimensional timber frames
which are supported on the arch underneath.
No source document could be found to get the dimensions of the structural members,
hence the section designations shown is decided based on the appearance.
All dimensions shown are in milimeters.
.

Figure 3 : Load path for vertical walls in

a single frame

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 Design of Timber Structures :

Joining the members are done through bolted connections. Apart from that steel gusset plates
included within the jointing members which then bolted from outside are also used to connect
one member to the other. Splice joints of gluelam members are done through finger jointing.
Joints of the members can be identified from the figure 4 included below.

Picture 4 : Connections of members in the principal structure

The two arch components are connected to the columns by a

pass through bolt passing through a timber piece in the
middle which belongs to the column. A nailed timber piece is
included underneath the arch elements as an extra support.
The column top and the rafter like timber frame members are
connected to each other by a gusset plate included within the
members and bolting from outside.
The diagonal tie is connected to the arch from one side by
directly bolting to it and by means of a narrow steel plate to
the column from the other side.

DULRABILITY AND SAFETY

The coal tar coating will protect the timber planks exposed to the outside environment which can
be a intense factor against durability. The durability of structural members are ensured through
preservatives and protective coatings. No evidence or written literature can be found indicating
any timber seasoning method used.

Although nothing can be found describing the fire safety design precautions taken in the design
of this structure, the use of considerably large sections as the main elements can be identified as
a safety measure against fire.

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 Design of Timber Structures :

Structural Form
Bridge Joining the Civil Complex and the Research Centre

OBJECTIVE
The distance about 25m between the main Civil Engineering Complex and the research centre of
University of Moratuwa has to be bridged by means of a timber bridge. The first floor of the
research centre and the resting area of the main civil complex was observed to be at the same
elevations. Hence Bridging those two locations was the most suitable option, giving access
directly to the elevator or the stair case regarding the Research Centre while the resting area is
also with an ample space and has direct access to the stair case of the main Civil Complex. Since
the mortorable road is present underneath the bridge and there are lot of parking spaces in the
vicinity a considerable ground clearance has to be allowed below the bridge. The bridge should
allow only the pedestrians hence it will be a foot bridge.

OPTION 1 - HORIZONTAL ZERO WITH A DOUBLE CATENERY

A bridge using two members formed in to the shape of catenery curves as the main members
spanning between the two bridging points is proposed as the first option. Two curves are used,
one as an arch and the other as a tie subjected to tension in operation to cancel out the
horizontal forces resulting from the span loads, thereby to reduce the complexities probable to
occur in the design process of the end supports. The end supports are to be newly constructed
and has to be columns preferably with concrete. These columns supporting the main spanning
members has to go through existing slabs.

The bottom catenery profile is used here with the intention of making internal forces in the
member to be axial. Since the catenary curve is the profile of a free hanging chain it should be the
shape of a member resisting vertical forces while generating axial forces only as the response.
The profile by inverting the same curve is used for the arched member to make the forces in the
arch to be nearly equal to the bottom catenary chord because of the symmetry neglecting the
violation of symmetry due to the loads from the roof on the top arch. As illustrated in figure 4
which shows the initial development sketches, the triangular form, especially at the ends makes it
very difficult to provide the head room requirements. As a solution, the pedestrian walking
course is detoured with steps to descend to the slab level.

All the above features and the geometric form of the structure can be well understood by
referring to the figure 4 below.

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 Design of Timber Structures :

Figure 4 : Initial form development - sketches

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 Design of Timber Structures :

The minimum head room requirement has to be provided at the point where the deck ends and the start of
the timber platform on top of the existing structure's slab on either ends. This point was decided at 5m away
from the point where two cateneries meet or the point of the end support. Thus the span altogether will be
35m, and will be 36m when further 500mm adjustments are allowed for both ends. Providing the 1500mm
head room requirement as detailed in the figure 4 results in a deep catenary which will be not practical
against other criteria like ground clearance.

Therefore a lowered deck by hanging on to the horizontal beam is used instead of supporting on the beams
as earlier. The new deck arrangement and the headroom provided is illustrated in the figure 5 below.

Figure 5 : Revised decking arrangement

The mathematical profile of the catenery curve satisfying above criteria is evaluated using a
numerical spread sheet

Table 1 : Coordinates of the Catenery curve

x y Y drawing
-18 43.23 0.00
-16 42.33 -0.90
-14 41.54 -1.69
-13 41.19 -2.04 The resulting equation of the curve is,
-12 40.86 -2.37
𝑥
-10 40.29 -2.94 𝑦 = 39 cosh
-8 39.82 -3.40 39
-6 39.46 -3.77 .
-4 39.21 -4.02 Values in red are the points at which the minimum head space
-2 39.05 -4.18 is critical. A 2m height to the apex is kept.
0 39.00 -4.23
2 39.05 -4.18
4 39.21 -4.02
6 39.46 -3.77
8 39.82 -3.40
10 40.29 -2.94
12 40.86 -2.37
13 41.19 -2.04
14 41.54 -1.69
16 42.33 -0.90
18 43.23 0.00

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 Design of Timber Structures :

When considering the cross section at the mid span the height of the triangle is 4.23m and the
width is only 2m, thus resulting the vertical dimension of the diamond shape in cross section to be
8.46m. A cross section of these proportions will surely hinder the lateral stability and the torsional
resistance of the structure. Thus the deck width is increased to 4m to make the cross section at the
mid span in other words the tallest cross section, a diamond shape consisting of 2 equilateral
triangles. The increased span of the deck makes it difficult to use a 75mm thick plank for the same
hence the span is broken down to 2m parts by supporting on a horizontal beam running along the
span. This beam supports on a tied triangular truss below the planks. The truss will tie up the
diamond shape helping the section to sustain the shape as well. Another tie member is provided
for the top triangle to hold up the section, above the head clearance required. A 3d view of the
main framed structure and the section at the mid span with the initially decided dimensions of the
members are depicted in figures 6 and 7 respectively. The load path of the cross section is also
indicated in figure 7.

Maintaining the stability is an issue which has to be dealt with careful attention in the case of a
slender framed structure like this (see fig 6). Deforming out of shape, twisting and the lateral
stability can be decided as critical for this frame. Providing supports at the ends of the main
horizontal beams will cater for this requirement. And if the need for further measures is
established after a detailed analysis an additional support can be provided for the main horizontal
beams at the mid span. The availability of ample space underneath the slab will permit to add such
support without blocking the traffic movement.

Figure 6 : 3 dimensional view of the main frame - option 1

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 Design of Timber Structures :

Figure 7 : Cross section at the mid span of the bridge (The

cross section with the deepest and most slender shape)

The live and dead load of the bridge deck will taken up by the
horizontal beams at the edges and the centre. The edge
beams will transfer the load to the bottom chord and the top
arch through the strut and tie members in the bottom and top
triangles respectively,
The centre beam below the deck planks will be spanned
between tied triangular trusses. These trusses will direct the
force to the bottom chord through the strut members of the
bottom triangle.
The timber used in all parts of the structure will be Red Grandis Other than for the top and bottom
chords. Since it is similar to Kempas it can be taken as class D60 when doing the detailed design of
the structure. For the top and bottom chords Red Balau is used.

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 Design of Timber Structures :

OPTION 2 - THE ARCHED TRUSS

A simple truss with a slight upward concaveness to give an arch action is selected as the option 2.
The arch profile is the same curve used for the arch of profile 1 which satisfies the equation of an
inverted catenery curve. The arrangement of the structure is anticipated to behave like a normal
truss with tension forces in the bottom chord and compression in the top, plus some compression
in both the top and bottom chords due to the arch action. Thereby the tension in the bottom chord
will be lower than the normal horizontal arch or will be fully compression, and the compression
force in top chord will be higher than the normal case. The diagonal members are arranged in way
of a traditional arch to take tensile forces. The initial sketch including the trial sizes decided for is
shown in the figure 8 below.

Figure 8 : Initial development sketch of option 2 - The arched truss

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 Design of Timber Structures :

The roof covering is to be done with a transparent light weight roofing sheet. The transparent
sheets are to show the honest inside of the structure exhibiting the textures and finishes and joints
of the structural elements which is quite exotic in case of timber structures. The light weight
elements are used to make the roof load to be non- dominant. Roof is with a high double pitched
roof and a horizontal tie to cancel off any outward forces in the horizontal direction. The same tie
will act as a lateral support to the top chord to provide the buckling resistance.

The top and bottom chord members are to be done with double Red Balau sections (See fig. 8)
since those members will be subjected to high axial forces while all the other members are to be
with Red Grandis.

A 3d view of the main skeletal structure is shown in the figure 9 below, from where all the lateral
supports, ties and chords can be identified.

Figure 9 : 3 dimensional view of the main frame - option 2

The frame is analysed for simple gravity forces by a computer software to identify the load path
and to see whether the arch action has worked. Since the end supports are normal supports and
have not yet been given any consideration, a sliding support is assigned for one end.

The resulting axial forces in members and the load path are indicated in the figure 10 and 11
respectively.

Figure 10 : Axial force diagram with sliding support at the end

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 Design of Timber Structures :

Figure 11 : Load path of the frame in case of a normal sliding support at the end

The resulting axial force diagram is similar to a normal truss, where the load from the deck is
distributed and loaded to the nodal points and then it is trasmitted to the bottom chord directly
and to the top chord through diagonal and vertical members from tension and compression in
those members in those members respectively. Hence it can be seen that no advantage has been
obtained by providing an arched profile. The only advantage that can be gained through this will be
the increased ground clearance at the mid span. Since there is ample ground clearance of 5m to
the ends also this would not make a huge benefit against the construction difficulties faced when
forming the arched profile.

But taking in to the fact that, 'better supports able to take horizontal forces should be incorporated
for the arched structures', a support indicated in the initial sketch (see fig 8) is decided to be used
for both the ends. This support can be made with structural steel members supported on a
concrete foundation. When integrating the relevant behavior to the model the horizontal
movement of the supports can also be restricted. Although this is just the ideal case and in real
time, there can be some displacement therefore either the structure should be modeled with the
support or some spring with a calculated stiffness, a perfect pinned support is used here since this
is just the initial form evaluations. An advanced model including the supports with all the features
taken from the field and laboratory test for soils is to be constructed for the detailed design stage.
The axial force diagram resulting from pinned supports at both ends is presented in the figure 12
below.

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 Design of Timber Structures :

Figure 12 : Axial force diagram with pinned supports at both ends

It was quite evident that the arched action has worked fully in this case. The deck load transferred
to the bottom chord directly has been shared with the top chord with the diagonal and vertical
members through tension and compression in those members respectively. No tension can be seen
in the bottom chord. The maximum compression force in the members is also less than that of the
former case, and is occurred at support in contrast to the mid span in the earlier case. This will
give a huge advantage and allow to select reduced member sizes to the top and bottom chords.
The behavior can be verified with the final detailed model. Until then the member sized can be
kept to the sizes decided first.

However the end supports has to be designed and constructed with extra careful consideration
with giving due attention to the horizontal load resisting mechanism. The connection of the timber
to the end support should also not allow any horizontal displacement.

The cross section of the structure is not a slender one and the joints will be done with due stiffness
to prevent any shape deformation or sway to maintain the stability. A considerable disadvantage
will be there in terms of lateral stability of the whole structure against wind or horizontal load
owing to the mid span level being 4.23 m higher than the support level. This issue can be addressed
by providing stiffer joints at the end supports which will prevent the whole structure from
overturning in the transverse plane about supports. If it still is proved not adequate after the
detailed structural analysis a lateral support can be provided at mid span with cables or by means
of a structure supported on ground.

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 Design of Timber Structures :

SELECTION OF THE MOST SUITABLE OPTION

The layout and the form of the option 1 is quite appealing giving a peculiar and sophisticated
appearance. But the form itself has many complications and the need for the intermediate lateral
support seemed necessary at the initial developments due to the slender section of the structure.
On the other hand the option 2 section is not slender and can be said comfortable against lateral
stability intuitionally. Although the ground clearance is not much of a limiting factor in the case of
both options, the option 2 provides a higher ground clearance at mid span.

The option 1 demands a higher quantity of timber when compared with the option 2 hence can be
decided expensive at the initial stage. But the cost for the end supports in the 2nd option will be
higher than that of the 1st option, but hard to decide whether those will compensate or invert the
more expensive option, at this stage.

Forming the curved profiles in both options will demand higher grade workman ship but will not be
problem at the UOM since the carpenter skill in the UOM is well known. But still the option 1 will
require some subtle and peculiar joints connecting members oriented at different oblige angles,
which will be time consuming. In overall view the structure will need some expertise knowledge in
designing and construction which again will be money at the end.

With all the above factors taken in to consideration it can be decided the option 2 is the most
suitable for the location given.

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