Analysis of Validation and Simplification of Timber-Frame Structure Design Stage with PU-Foam Insulation

The transition from experimental studies to the realm of numerical simulations is often necessary for further studies, but very difficult at the same time. This is especially the case for extended seismic analysis and earthquake-resistant design. This paper describes an approach to moving from the experimental testing of an elementary part of a wood-frame building structure to a numerical model, with the use of a commercial engineering analysis software. In the presented approach, a timber-frame structure with polyurethane (PU)-foam insulation and OSB (oriented strand board) sheathing was exposed to dynamic excitation. The results were then used to generate a numerical 3D model of the wooden frame element. The process of creating the 3D model is explained with the necessary steps to reach validation. The details of the model, material properties, boundary conditions, and used elements are presented. Furthermore, the authors explain the technical possibilities for simplifying the numerical model in used software. Simplifying the model leads to a substantial reduction of calculation time without the loss of accuracy of results. Such a simplification is especially useful when conducting advanced numerical calculations in the field of seismic and dynamic resistant object design.