Experimental investigation and analytical model of traditional Kath-Kuni Wooden joints

Abstract

ABSTRACT The traditional Kath-Kuni construction system is considered an earthquake-resistant construction system. Its major earthquake-resistant features are its wooden connections, such as Maanwi (dovetail), Kadil (dowel), and friction capacity between layers. Hence, in the present research, experiments have been done to understand the behaviour and failure mechanism of these wooden joints, and their moment-carrying capacities have been calculated. In experimental studies, varying sizes of members and connection keys for Maanwi, Kadil, and different materials for friction coefficient have been considered. Analytical equations for various failure mechanisms have been proposed to understand the behaviour, failure mechanism and capacities, analytically, and the results are compared with the experimental data. Brittle failure was observed for both the Maanwi and Kadil connections. The capacity of the Maanwi connection was governed by the area available to resist the rotation and wood tensile capacity in the perpendicular grain direction. The Kadil connection capacity depends upon the Kadil key's size and the wood's capacity in tension and torsion-induced shear in the perpendicular grain direction. The friction coefficient was found to vary from 0.45 to 0.80 between different surfaces under constant overburden.