Full Scale Tests on the Performance of Hybrid Timber Connections in Real Fires

Connections form an integral part of any building system. Concerns are raised when dealing with hybrid connections especially in fire. This is because different materials with varying ambient and thermal properties must perform together to ensure a stable structural system. This research seeks to present the fire behavior and resistance of unprotected hybrid connections involving a glulam timber beam and steel columns in typical real fires, and their comparison to performance under temperatures defined by CAN/ULC S-101. Three different shear tab connection systems: Concealed, Exposed and Seated were studied. Each connection system was tested for two load ratios of 60% and 100%. Lower load ratio of 60% resulted in an increase in the times to failure by 50%-75%. Using the cumulative radiative energy area method to predict the severity of the standard CAN/ULC-S101 and real fire curves predicted conservative equivalent times of failure for the Seated Connection Assembly.