Structural performance of laminated-bamboo lumber nailed connection

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper was to provide a better understanding of the mechanical behaviour of laminated-bamboo lumber nailed connection loaded monotonically. The specimens varied in nail diameter, edge distance of nail and loading angle to the grain. For edge distance less than six times the nail diameter (6d), the specimens failed prematurely at a lower load and exhibited moderate ductility behaviour. Two plastic hinges formed inside the side and core members, with crushing of the laminated bamboo lumber fibres, if the minimum construction requirements of nail edge distance were satisfied. It is found that the load increases significantly with the increase of nail diameter. Reductions in load-carrying capacity are witnessed with the increase in loading angle to grain, but the influence is small. The experimental results, such as stiffness and yield load, are compared against those predictions obtained from the existing design standards. A two-parameter theoretical model, related to the initial stiffness and yield load, is suggested to characterise the load-slip relationship of LBL nailed connections loaded monotonically, with the aim of deriving a mathematical relationship to represent this behaviour. There is a good agreement between the curves predicted by the theoretical model and the experimental results.