Creep Investigation Model for Timber: A Review

Authors: Mustapha Z, Mohammed K, Ocholi A

DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5048474

ABSTRACT

Timber is a natural material from matured trees that can be used for structural applications. Material properties of timber such as light weight to strength ratio, good durability, good insulation against heat and sound impact makes it suitable for use as material for constructing roofing system, pedestrian or bicycle bridges and framing of other load-bearing structures, where strength is the major factor in its selection and usage. Unfortunately, time-dependent deformation affects the strength and stiffness of timber in service. The process of creep in timber, which is affected by variables such as temperature, moisture, species type, grain direction, loading influence, and timber's natural variability causes excessive deformations and even collapse of an entire construction. This paper reviews the work presented by various researchers on creep prediction/investigation models devised for timber. From the available literature reviewed, creep prediction models were developed for small timber species that are not widely used for construction/structural applications and do not undergo large moisture fluctuations, therefore mechano-sorptive creep effects are minimal. Looking at local content, there is need to develop mathematical models that would be used to predict/investigate long term creep for Nigerian grown timber species. There is no record of an existing unified or generalized creep prediction model that could be used for estimating long term creep of all timber species, because each of the mathematical models developed contain a great variety of constants that can only be determined by rigorous and large experimental sample tests.

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