Abstract
This article presents the results of static tests on bolted connections in squared and round timber with inserted steel plates. The experiment evaluates structural timber connections with different distances between the fastener and the loaded end at different moisture contents. Specimens were loaded by tension parallel to the grain and load–deformation diagrams were recorded. Fifty-six specimens with three different distances between the fastener and the loaded end, at different moisture contents, were tested. The results were statistically evaluated using regression analysis, complemented with load–deformation curves, and compared with calculations according to the valid standard for design of timber structures. A decrease in the evaluated load-carrying capacity with increasing moisture content was confirmed experimentally. A slight increase in the evaluated load-carrying capacity with increasing fastener distance from the loaded end was found.
Highlights
The use of timber as a building material is becoming increasingly popular
Failure always occurred by timber splitting under the bolt, when the tensile strength perpendicular to the grain was exceeded and cross-links between individual fibers in timber were broken
Connections with inserted steel plates are widely used in exterior timber structures that are exposed to significant temperature and moisture content changes
Summary
The use of timber as a building material is becoming increasingly popular. The general trend of using natural, renewable and recyclable materials in construction practice contributes to this fact. Environmental requirements and long-term sustainability in construction are gaining prominence and application (e.g., in buildings [1], bridges and footbridges [2]). Timber structures, which are commonly used as a substitute for steel and concrete structures, considerably mitigate the impact on the environment thanks to their smaller carbon footprint [3]. One of the most important areas in the design of timber structures is connections [4,5,6]. Connections affect the overall composition of the load-carrying structure and dimensions of the main load-carrying members [7]. The load-carrying capacity and the stiffness of connections are crucial to the serviceability and durability of the whole structure, especially for large-span structures with many connections [1,7]
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