Splitting load-carrying capacity of steel-to-laminated bamboo dowel connections with slotted-in steel plates

Abstract

For engineered bamboo and timber structures, beam to column connections with slotted-in steel plates are prone to splitting failure. The splitting load-carrying capacity and failure mechanism of laminated bamboo dowel connections with slotted-in steel plates loaded perpendicular to grain were studied. The fracture parameters of laminated bamboo and yield moment of dowel needed to estimate the splitting capacity were determined by tests. A total of 24 connections in 8 groups were conducted to evaluate the effect of loaded edge distance and end distance of the dowels. The load-displacement curves of the connections and dowels were studied revealing the splitting failure mechanism of laminated bamboo dowel connections. Brittleness, low ductility and moderate ductility forms of the connections with different degrees of dowel bending were observed. Furthermore, the experimental results were compared with predictions from Van der Put and Jensen. The best prediction agreements were obtained from Van der Put model. Finally, a more accurate calculated equation for these connections has been developed.