Reliability Analysis of a Solid Timber Column Subjected to Axial and Lateral Loading

In this paper, a reliability analysis of a solid timber column of square cross section subjected to axial and lateral loading in accordance with the design requirements of Eurocode 5 is carried out. Compression and bending were the two failure criteria considered in the reliability investigation. The First Order Reliability method was employed to solve the limit state functions formed from the two failure criteria and was coded in MATLAB for quick estimation of the reliability indices. The results obtained showed that both the load and slenderness ratios have effects on the reliability of a solid timber column. The results of the sensitivity analysis carried out on the stochastic variables showed that the reliability indices decreased with increase in slenderness ratio for 3m, 4m and 5m length of column considering both the compression and bending failure modes and decreased with increase in load ratio for 3m, 4m and 5m length of column considering both the compression and bending failure modes. The reliability indices also decreased with increase in length of column mode and decreased with increase in ratio considering bending failure mode. The reliability indices were also found to decrease with increase in load ratio for varying values of axial and lateral loads at constant slenderness ratio and length of column considering compression and bending failure modes. The choice of adequate and suitable dimensions having a lower slenderness ratio will enhance the reliability of the column. Keywords - Reliability analysis, solid timber column, Eurocode 5, failure criteria, slenderness ratio