The mechanical behaviour of timber-to-timber connections with internal panels of densified veneer wood (DVW) and fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) dowels was experimentally assessed and a design method, based on EN 1995-1-1, was developed. Embedment tests on DVW plates and bending/shear tests on FRP dowels were performed to characterise these components, followed by full-scale tests of connections assembled with these materials. The results show that these connections exhibit a mechanical behaviour compatible with structural applications, regarding both load-carrying capacity and ductility. The proposed design model is based on EN 1995-1-1’s expressions for connections with dowel-type fasteners and gives good predictions of the experimental load-carrying capacities.
Fire safety has always been a major concern in the design of timber construction. Even though wood is a highly combustible material, timber members can perform adequately under elevated temperatures. The thermal response of timber connections, however, is in most cases poor and determination of their fire resistance is usually the crucial factor in evaluating the overall load-bearing capacity of wood structures exposed to fire. The analysis of timber joints under fire conditions can be challenging due to their complexity and variety. After presenting the variation of the properties of timber with temperature, this paper reviews the fire performance of various connection types, such as bolted or nailed wood-to-wood and steel-to-timber joints. Results from relevant experimental programs and numerical studies are discussed in detail and future research needs are highlighted. The effect of several factors on the fire resistance of timber connections, such as the fastener diameter, timber thickness and joint geometry, is investigated and useful conclusions are drawn. Based on these, preliminary guidelines for the efficient design of timber connections under fire exposure are presented.
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is a new material for midrise timber structures. CLT panels made of Japanese species like Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D.Don) are developed in Japan. Seismic resistance of CLT structures are mainly determined by the performances of panel-to-panel connections. One of the main fasteners for CLT connections is large size self-tapping screws. It is possible to use not only CLT panels but also glulam structures. But there are few data for these joints and not used so much in Japan. In this study, shear tests of timbet-to-timber joints including CLT panels with large size self-tapping screws and several material tests were conducted. And estimating equations of single shearing properties were validated.
In this study, shear tests of timbet-to-timber joints including CLT panels with large size self-tapping screws and several material tests were conducted. And estimating equations of single shearing properties were validated. Estimation curves were fitted well with test curves. It is confirmed that estimating equations are valid for timber-to-timber connections of large size self-tapping screws.
