Edinburgh Napier University

  A series of closed timber frame wall panels were tested for racking capacity in
accordance with the standard BS EN594:2011 [1]. The test program was designed to
investigate the wall diaphragm performance of conventional and evolved (dual-frame)
panels and for various design specifications. The resulting data was used to determine
the feasibility of using locally resourced and graded timber for the manufacture of the
frame and the impact of different sheathing materials on the overall structural
behavior.
Through the undertaking of these tests, the effect of variables such as sheathing
material, wall length and the inclusion of openings on shear walls were measured. The
study concludes that low-graded timber is suitable for the manufacture of wall panels
and also provides guidance for efficient structural design