RELIABILITY OF WOOD STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS

The state of the art of reliability analysis of wood structural system s is discussed. Both wood-system behavior and system-reliability analy sis are included. Potential areas for research that could lead to bett er techniques for both reliability analysis and reliability-based desi gn of wood systems are considered. The suggested research areas, while emphasizing gravity-loaded systems, have analogous counterparts for s ystems loaded by wind and earthquake. All wood systems need to be exam ined in more depth from a modeling and behavior standpoint, particular ly with respect to simplified models suitable for reliability analysis . Ultimate capacity reliability is emphasized, but serviceability reli ability considerations are also included. Perhaps the most important r esearch area discussed is the characterization of the various types of wood systems so that limit-state definitions can be developed.