INFULUENCES OF CONSTRUCTION DETAILS ON THE FIRE RESISTANCE OF TRADITIONAL WOOD/SOIL WALLS

Abstract

Fire resistance tests are conducted on small-scale specimens of wood/soil wall assembly with different construction details as a basis for developing code-acceptable traditional wooden constructions. The tests have revealed significant influence of both-side plastering of soil wall, thickness and water content of the soil layer and various reinforcements of timber/soil layer interface on the prevention of the heat and flame penetration through a wood/soil wall. lt has been also clarified that charring of the timber element, a major cause for the collapse of the wall due to fire, can be reduced by the protection of the load-bearing timber elements by soil or wood or by design considerations reducing fire exposure of the timber element.