Experimental research on tensile dovetail joint between rafter and collar beam

Abstract

The paper presents the analysis of the dovetail joint, typical for rafter-collar-beam connection, under tension. The development of wooden structures with these joints, and the general principles of their static work are shortly presented. The results of research on: functional joint with proper contact surfaces, joint with loosened contact, and joint with reinforcement were presented. The results confirm that the dovetail joint can transfer tensile forces, some of which are transferred by the wooden dowel. Small loosenings between connected elements does not decrease the load-capacity or stiffness of the joint. The reinforcement changed the static behavior of the joint, as expected. The obtained results present a certain picture of the static behavior of the analyzed connection in the case of tension forces, and the drawn conclusions may be useful for engineers and conservators in design and implementation practice when working with historic wooden structures.