UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

BY

TEDDY CHIHANYA R165465W

Lecturer
Eng P Marindiko
1a) Timber panel construction systems are subdivided into panel construction,
framework construction, block construction and building with timber modules. The
elements used in timber panel construction are usually made of solid timber or
processed timber construction materials with stiffening cross ribs, whereas clad
timber frames are used in framework construction.

b)
Panel Construction Frame Construction

Its a structural systems that consists of Framework construction is the basic

planar wall and slab elements, which
form an enclosed space. The panels can
be made of steel, timber construction
materials, concrete or masonry.
principle employed when building with
steel panels. The differences, however,
are that the loads are transferred via the
columns in the skeleton in timber
framework construction, whereas, in
conjunction with the cladding, the steel
frame acts as a plate.

c) Two base plater timber construction are produced by laminating solid timber,
processed timber construction materials or timber shavings under pressure.
Compared with timber block panels it can carry load in two directions
d) The structural integrity and successful performance of the roof structure during
high-wind events depends upon: 1) adequately designed and spaced roof-framing
members, 2) adequate lateral bracing to support roof framing, and 3) adequate
connections between the roof structure and the top of the wall to create a complete
vertical load path. The roof structure (consisting of the roof framing, roof
decking/sheathing, and any internal bracing) also functions as a horizontal
diaphragm and transfers the horizontal loads imposed on the roof to the supporting
walls below.
Roof failures are often observed on areas of the building where wind pressures are
concentrated. These areas include the high-pressure eave and corner zones, porch
and roof overhangs, gable ends, and where roof framing joins bearing walls or
beams. The connection of the sheathing to the supporting members in these areas is
most critical and often may be detailed with a higher density of connectors than
other roof areas.

Fig 1. Loss of roof sheathing due to inadequate fastening between roof sheathing
and framing.
The roof sheathing supports gravity loads, such as the roof live load, snow load,
and vertical-uplift loads created by wind pressures. Also, the roof sheathing
(working in conjunction with the roof framing) must function as a diaphragm to
transfer lateral loads to the building’s shear walls.
Shear walls (whether segmented or perforated) must be anchored to the
foundation(or the shear wall below when on an elevated floor) to complete the
continuous load path within this area of the building. A proper anchorage or
connection prevents the shear walls and, in turn, the rest of the structure from
laterally racking, displacing, or overturning during a high-wind or seismic event.
Segmented shear walls need to be anchored at the edges or ends of each shear wall
panel. Perforated shear walls typically only need anchorage at their ends. Figure 2
lustrates a typical large anchor that may be connected at the end post of a framed
shear wall.
Fig 2: Shear wall anchor
Shear wall anchorage capacities for multi-level buildings are additive. In other
words, anchorage for upper-level shear walls needs to be provided in addition to
first-floor anchorage. Where segmented shear wall panels line up vertically, the
panels can share anchorage devices—provided the anchorage device is capable of
resisting the total load for all shear panels that it anchors. The same is true for the
ends of perforated shear walls. Multi-level perforated shear walls can share
anchorage at their ends, provided the anchor is capable of resisting shear wall
reactions for all levels.
 1. Define panel construction timber building system?
Timber panel construction systems are subdivided into panel construction, block construction,
framework construction and building with timber modules. The elements used in timber panel
construction are usually made of solid timber or processed timber construction materials with stiffening
cross ribs, whereas clad timber frames used in framework construction.

A system of panelised structural walls and floors constructed from

small section timber studs, clad with board products, in which the timber
frame transmits vertical and horizontal loads to the foundations.

2. How does panel construction differ from framework construction?

Panel construction Framework Construction

The load bearing elements in timber This technique is a further development

panel construction can be both small or
large panels of timber building
materials. They fulfil both structural
and partitioning functions. The loads
are transferred to the foundation via the
panels, the foundations are concrete
floor slabs. The junction between the
timber panels are fabricated as butt
connection generally fixed with either
tongue and-groove joints, with rebated
joints, pinned with either hardwoodor
steel dowels, or nailed with perforated
steel plates
of the traditional timber frame and
lightweight stud construction
techniques. Although timber frame
elements acts as non-load-bearing infill
members in frame construction, they
function as non-load-bearing infill
members in frame construction, they
function as load -bearing wall in panel
constructions. The elemets are
available with varying levels of
prefabrication depending on the
required function and standards of
building physics

3. The pros and cons of not using a base plate in panel construction