Title Fire Resistance Performance of Light Timber-Framed Walls Incorporating Fire-Retardant Treated Plywood
Authors 조용현(Cho, Yong-Hyun) ; 류현주(Ryu, Hyeon-Ju) ; 여인환(Yeo In-Hwan)
DOI https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2026.42.4.331
Page pp.331-338
ISSN 2733-6247
Keywords Light Timber Frame Wall; Fire Resistance; Fire-Retardant Plywood; Mineral Wool; Full-Scale Fire Test
Abstract This study evaluates the fire resistance of light timber frame (LTF) non-load-bearing wall assemblies using small-scale and full-scale fire tests to support application in mid- and high-rise timber buildings requiring a 2-hour fire rating. Small-scale tests examined the effects of insulation type and gypsum board thickness, confirming improved performance with mineral wool insulation and thicker gypsum boards. Full-scale tests demonstrated a clear size effect, as an increased number of joints in large gypsum boards led to earlier board failure and reduced fire resistance. Fire-retardant plywood exhibited thermal behavior similar to gypsum board during the first 30 minutes of fire exposure, indicating its potential for early-stage fire protection. In addition, enhanced fire resistance observed in full-scale specimens incorporating fire-retardant plywood suggests that adhesive-bonded composite layers can reduce joint-related weaknesses. Overall, the results show that optimized combinations of insulation and fire-retardant plywood can improve the fire resistance of LTF walls and support the development of practical 2-hour fire-rated wall assemblies for modern timber buildings.