Course code BūvZ3095
Credit points 3
Total Hours in Course81
Number of hours for lectures16
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes8
Number of hours for laboratory classes8
Independent study hours49
Date of course confirmation10.03.2021
Responsible UnitInstitute of Civil Engineering and Wood Processing
Mg. sc. ing.
BūvZ2042, Structural Mechanics I
BūvZ2043, Structural Mechanics II
BūvZ2047, Building Materials
In the basic level of the course the strength and stiffness properties of wood materials are explored, the behaviour models of structural timber elements under loads are considered, and types of joints and fasteners including capacity models and design principles as well. During tutorials and laboratory works the students master their skills for applying of theoretical background for design: to select the material, section type, to check the strength and stiffness conditions of elements, to perform the experimental tests, to calculate the capacity and proceed with design of connections.
• knowledge and understanding on: mechanical properties of wood materials and factors affecting, about assuming of appropriate design model for calculation of bearing capacity and displacements, and on theory based and empirical methods for calculation of connections. Attendance of lectures, Laboratory works and practical works.
• skills: 1) to perform the calculation and design of structural timber elements and joints according limit states method and applying Eurocode 5 methodology. Practical works.
• competencies: to demonstrate an ability to use the knowledge and skills for good choice of type of bearing structure (girder, truss, portalframe, arch or some space structure) regarding acting loads and service conditions. Exam.
1. Wood materials. History of timber structures. Development trends. 1h
2. Characteristic and design values of strength and stiffness properties of timber materials: resistance, modulus of elasticity, modification and safety factors. 2h
3. Limit state design. Ultimate limit state (ULS) and serviceability limit state (SLS). 3h
4. Design of the full cross-section timber elements according to strength and stability conditions of Eurocode 5. 2h
5. Beams and girders, and other timber elements in bending of enclosure structures (rafters, purlins, lathing). 6h
6. Types of timber connections and its behaviour under load. Requirements for connections. 1h
7. Moisture-resistant adhesives and glued joints. 1h
8. Dowel type connections. 5h
9. Timber connectors. Split ring and shear plates. Joints with punched metal plate fasteners. 3h
10. Mechanically jointed beams. 1h
11. Beam type trusses. Timber trusses with nailed joints, bolted joints and toothed-plate connector joints. 3h
12. Spatial fixing of plane timber frames. Bracing systems.
13. Constructive and chemical measures for the protection of timber against decay, fire and borers. 2h
Attendance of the course activities – at least 80% of total volume.
Laboratory tasks are carried out and passed.
Exam is passed (1 calculation task and 1 theoretical question)
Practical works: design of structural timber beam according to strength and stability conditions of Eurocode 5.
Laboratory works: 4-point bending test of timber beam.
Credits will be enrolled if the student is able to prove his/her knowledge and competence during constructive conversation about behaviour of elements and joints under static load (according checklist).
1. Ozola L. Koka būvkonstrukciju aplēse un konstruēšana I. Jelgava: LLU, 2008.- 259 lpp.
2. Ozola L. Koka būvkonstrukciju aplēse un konstruēšana II. Jelgava: LLU, 2011. 208 lpp.
3. Ozola L. Koka būvkonstrukciju elementi. Jelgava: LLU, 2006. 184 lpp.
4. Larsen H., Enjily V. Practical design of timber structures to Eurocode 5. London: Thomas Telford, 2009. 268 p.
5. Porteous Jack. Structural timber design to Eurocode 5/ Jack Porteous and Abdy Kermani. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2013. 624 p.
1. Timber construction manual. T. Herzog ... [et al.]. Basel [etc.]: Birkhäuser; 2004.
2. Manual for the design of timber building structures to Eurocode 5 / The Institution of Structural Engineers, TRADA. - London : Institution of Structural Engineers, 2007, 258 lpp.; + 1 CD-ROM.
3. Praxishandbuch Ingenieurholzbau. Grundlagen, Bemessung, Konstruktion / Kai Schild, Stefan Völkner. Fraunhofer IRB Verlag, 2005.- 245 S.
1. Žurnāls The Structural Engineer. London: The institution of structural engineers. ISSN 1466-5123
2. Žurnāls Bauen mit Holz. ISSN: 0005-6545
3. Žurnāls Būvinženieris: Latvijas Būvinženieru savienības izdevums. Rīga: Latvijas Būvinženieru savienība. ISSN 1691-9262.
Compulsory Course for the First level professional higher educational study programme "Civil Engineering" of the Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering in the 5th semester