Group Action Factor of Nail Fastener on the Wood Connection With Plywood Sides Plate

Abstract

The group action factor was observed in this experimental study. The 18 mm thickness of plywood was used as side’s plate and the main members were made from meranti (shorea sp.) and sengon (paraserianthes falcataria) species. The correlations of group action factor with a number of nails in a row was investigated under uni-axial compression loading test with one to ten nails variation in a row. The member connections with multiple 3 rows with 3, 6, and 9 nails in each row were also tested both under uni-axial compression and tension loading. The group action factor correlated to the number of nails for single row was obtained using the regression analysis. The regression equations presented was group action factor at the proportional limit (Cgp), group action factor at the 5% offset diameter (Cg5%), and group action factor at the ultimate load (Cgu). The connection strength at 5% offset diameter and proportional limit was closed to the strength design based on the draft of Indonesian Timber Code 2000. The ultimate strength is extremely higher than the design value, giving a sufficient safety factor. Based on this result, a simplified group action factor equation for connection with plywood side’s plate was proposed.