L Ottenhaus

Investigating timber connection performance for extended building life

This project aims to create a a clear and common understanding in the Australian engineering community around connection design through experimental performance evaluation and development of design guidance. The aim is to design connections that help extend timber building life.The following research gaps may be addressed:

1) investigate embedment strength of dowel-type fasteners in different Australian timber species and products; derive reliable regression models for strength prediction;

2) study of screwed connections in Australian timber species and products including engineered wood products; determine screw withdrawal parameters and develop analytical models

3) other fundamental experimental research on timber connections to extend building life

Formal education or equivalent professional experience in structural timber engineering is a non-negotiable prerequisite to undertake this research. If you do not meet this requirement, your application will be declined. At a minimum, applicants should have completed an undergraduate course on the basics of structural timber engineering with distinction. Applicants with a degree in timber are preferred. Previous experimental research experience is desirable (e.g. BHon or Master thesis research).