Variability of Charring Along the Wooden Wall Studs

The effect of timber densities on the charring of timber members insulated by heat-resistant mineral wool is described in this paper. Special attention is given to variability of charring along the stud. After the fire tests, the studs were saved in their entire length. Char layer was mechanically removed from the studs under investigation. Charred studs of timber frame walls were scanned three-dimensionally over the full length afterfull-scale fire tests. Densities were measured by X-ray and optical vibration scanner. Cross-section properties and densities of the studs were measured along the stud. Charring rate is not uniform along the full length of a single timber wall stud. This corresponds probably to the variation of density of wood. Adjusting the designmodel for charring of timber frame assemblies, as given in EN 1995-1-2, to allow for the influence of density may give an advantage for members with higher density.