Progressive Collapse & Structural Robustness in Timber Structures
17th June 2025
09:00-12:00 BST
Summary
Date & Time
17th June 2025
09:00-12:00 BST
Location
Online
On Demand Until
Until 24th June 2025
Price
£100+VAT
About the course
Progressive collapse occurs when a local failure triggers a chain reaction, ultimately leading to the collapse of an entire structure. It is often associated with a disproportionately large collapse relative to its initial cause. The primary causes are typically linked to human errors, such as poor design, failure to account for the structure’s ability to redistribute forces and activate resistance mechanisms, and unforeseen events or extreme loads, including sabotage, terrorism, or material degradation.
Methods to enhance collapse resistance typically involve three lines of defense, with increasing structural robustness being the most fundamental. This can be achieved by providing alternative load paths, incorporating redundancy, and ensuring well-designed connections.
Agenda
1. Fundamentals
* Terminology and definitions
* Collapse case studies
* Common causes of failure for timber structures
* Overview of code requirements
2. Strategies and Design Principles
* Exposure, vulnerability, and robustness
* Direct and indirect approaches to improve collapse resistance
* Alternative load paths vs. key elements
* Wood vs. steel and concrete
* The crucial role of connections
3. Numerical Analysis and Current Research
* Alternative load path analysis
* Finite element analyses of collapse behaviour
* Experimental investigations of collapse mechanisms
* Explosions and shock loads
Presenters
From 2008 to 2014, Johannes pursued a BSc in Mechanical Engineering & Management at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), followed by an MSc in Mechanical Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology. Between 2014 and 2016, he worked as a development engineer at Benteler Automotive, specializing in hot-pressed boron steel and aluminum automotive parts for Volvo Cars.
In 2021, he earned a PhD in Wood Science & Engineering from Luleå University of Technology, focusing on numerical modeling of wood using finite element methods (FEM). His research involved developing 3D finite element models in two key areas: non-linear collapse simulation in subsystems of multi-storey timber buildings and X-ray CT-based modeling of sawn timber to predict mechanical properties. His PhD thesis, Numerical Modelling of Timber Building Components to Prevent Disproportionate Collapse, can be accessed at:
https://ltu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1562953/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Since 2022, Johannes has been an Associate Senior Lecturer in Wood Science & Engineering at Luleå University of Technology, where he conducts research on X-ray CT-scan-based finite element models for strength prediction, CT-based methods for detecting fiber orientations, and physics-informed deep learning for sparse CT reconstruction and feature detection. Additionally, he is involved in PhD supervision and teaching.
Format
The format of this event will be a webinar using "Zoom Webinars".
There will be opportunity to interact with the lecturer throughout the session, both though allocated Q&A sessions, or leaving text based questions throughout the presentation which the lecturer will be able to answer at convenient opportunities.
Attendance certificates are available on request after the completion of the webinar.
Registration
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Price
The cost of registering for this webinar will be £100+VAT.
Group rates are available on all our courses. If you would like to discuss what group discounts we have available you can reach us at info@etsols.com.