Reliability of Wood Structural Systems

Abstract

The state of the art of reliability analysis of wood structural systems is discussed. Both wood‐system behavior and system‐reliability analysis are included. Potential areas for research that could lead to better techniques for both reliability analysis and reliability‐based design of wood systems are considered. The suggested research areas, while emphasizing gravity‐loaded systems, have analogous counterparts for systems loaded by wind and earthquake. All wood systems need to be examined in more depth from a modeling and behavior standpoint, particularly with respect to simplified models suitable for reliability analysis. Ultimate capacity reliability is emphasized, but serviceability reliability considerations are also included. Perhaps the most important research area discussed is the characterization of the various types of wood systems so that limit‐state definitions can be developed.