Experimental Study on the Flexural Performance of Steel–Timber Composite Roof Truss Joints and Their Influence on the Overall Structural Response

Abstract

To address the insufficient load-bearing capacity and overall stiffness of timber truss roofs in brick–timber and earth–timber structures in rural areas, as well as the requirements for preserving traditional architectural characteristics, a steel–timber composite roof system was proposed. The system was developed through rational integration of timber and steel components to enhance the overall mechanical performance of the structure. At the joint level, flexural performance tests were conducted on cramp-iron joint, gusset–plate joint, and steel–timber joint. The moment–rotation relationships, failure modes, and ductility characteristics of the three joint types were systematically investigated. Based on the experimental results, a trilinear moment–rotation model was established. Furthermore, a finite element model of the roof structure was established using SAP2000 (26.2.0), and the stress distribution and load–displacement responses under horizontal static loading were analyzed through numerical simulation. The influence of different joint configurations on the mechanical performance of the roof structure was evaluated from an overall structural perspective. The results demonstrated that the peak bending moment of the steel–timber joint was increased by approximately 163.50% and 3.74% compared with those of the cramp-iron joint and gusset–plate joint, respectively. The ductility coefficient was enhanced by approximately 9.33% and 62.91%, respectively. In the finite element model of the roof structure, the peak load of the roof system with the steel–timber joint was increased by approximately 114.96% and 9.54%, while the corresponding displacement capacity was improved by approximately 76.62% and 43.41%, compared with the other two roof systems, respectively. Future studies will focus on further evaluating the seismic performance of steel–timber composite roof systems through cyclic loading experiments, dynamic response analysis, and full-scale structural validation, thereby providing a more comprehensive understanding of their long-term applicability in earthquake-prone rural buildings.