Numerical model to predict the effect of wood density in wood–steel–wood connections with and without passive protection under fire

The main objective of this work is to present a numerical model to predict the effect of wood density in unprotected wood connections with an internal steel plate (wood–steel–wood), when comparing with the same connections using passive protection with gypsum plasterboard, submitted to fire conditions. Wood–steel–wood connections are made of four wood members, two on each side, with an internal steel plate that connects the pieces using steel dowel fasteners. First, analytical methodologies according to Eurocode 5 part 1-1 were used to design the connections at room temperature. After that, to predict the fire exposure and the connection ability, a numerical model was performed which permits to compare the fire resistance in wood–steel–wood connections without and with passive protection following the Eurocode 5 part 1-2. Results of the temperature and the wood char layer depth were compared using three different wood densities. The evolution of the charring rate was calculated in different locations of the connections and compared with the analytical value proposed by the Eurocode 5 part 1-2.