Mechanical Behavior of GFRP Dowel Connections to Cross Laminated Timber-CLT Panels

Amanda Ceinoti De Almeida,Jorge Daniel De Melo Moura

doi:10.3390/f13020320

Amanda Ceinoti De Almeida, Jorge Daniel De Melo Moura

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/f13020320

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Abstract

Sustainability issues are driving the civil construction industry to adopt and study more environmentally friendly technologies as an alternative to traditional masonry/concrete construction. In this context, plantation wood especially stands out as a constituent of the cross-laminated timber (CLT) system, laminated wood glued in perpendicular layers forming a solid-wood structural panel. CLT panels are commonly connected by screws or nails, and several authors have investigated the behavior of these connections. Glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) dowels have been used to connect wooden structures, and have presented excellent performance results; however, they have not yet been tested in CLT. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP)-doweled connections between CLT panels. The specimens were submitted to monotonic shear loading, following the test protocol described in EN 26891-1991. Two configurations of adjacent five-layer panels were tested: flat-butt connections with 45° dowels (x, y, and z axes), and half-lap connections with 90° dowels. The results were evaluated according to the mechanical connection properties of strength, stiffness, and ductility ratio. The results showed higher stiffness for butt-end connections. In terms of strength, the half-lap connections were stronger than the butt-end connections.

Highlights

IntroductionCross-laminated timber (CLT) has been gaining prominence in civil construction worldwide for being an efficient, sustainable, and ecologically friendly prefabricated solution, and is a great alternative to conventional concrete and masonry construction [1]
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has been gaining prominence in civil construction worldwide for being an efficient, sustainable, and ecologically friendly prefabricated solution, and is a great alternative to conventional concrete and masonry construction [1].cross-laminated timber (CLT) is manufactured with timber boards placed side by side, glued at 90 degrees to the adjacent layer, composing a structural panel (Figure 1)
This study focused on the behavior of CLT panels connected via butt-end (T1) and half-lap (T2) GRFP-doweled connections; and some conclusions could be drawn

Summary

Introduction

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has been gaining prominence in civil construction worldwide for being an efficient, sustainable, and ecologically friendly prefabricated solution, and is a great alternative to conventional concrete and masonry construction [1]. CLT is manufactured with timber boards placed side by side, glued at 90 degrees to the adjacent layer, composing a structural panel (Figure 1). The CLT panels are manufactured in odd layers, with at least three and at most nine layers. The positioning of the boards is strategically designed to optimize the mechanical properties of the panel [2]. CLT panel connections are commonly made using nails, screws, and metal connectors. Panel-to-panel connections are normally made by three types of joints: (1) half-lap joints;

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