Simple cross-laminated timber shear connections with spatially arranged screws. (15th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loss, Cristiano; Hossain, Afrin; Tannert, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Engineering structures. Volume 173(2018)
• Page Start: 340
• Page End: 356
• Publication Date: 2018-10-15
• Subjects: Yield load -- Connection capacity -- Stiffness -- Ductility -- Friction -- Push-out tests; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Construction, Technique de la -- Périodiques; Génie parasismique -- Périodiques; Pression du vent -- Périodiques; Earthquake engineering; Structural engineering; Wind-pressure; Periodicals; 624.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.07.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-0296

Abstract

Highlights: Solutions for fastening cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels are provided. Experimental tests for characterization of CLT connections with screws were executed. The study includes a sample of CLT connections with different design details. High performance for connections can be achieved only for specific screws arrangement. Available models for screws are suitable to predict the capacity of CLT connections. Abstract: This paper presents an experimental study to evaluate the use of spatially arranged self-tapping screws (STS) as shear connections for cross-laminated timber panels. Specifically, simple butt joints combined with crossed STS with different inclinations were investigated under quasi-static monotonic and reversed-cyclic loadings. The influence of the number and angle of insertion of screws, screws characteristics, friction and loading on the joint performance was explored. The yield load, load-carrying capacity and related slips, elastic stiffness, and ductility were evaluated considering two groups of tests performed on a total of 63 specimens of different size. Performance of connections with respect to the energy dissipation and loss of strength under cyclic loads was also investigated. It was shown that the spatial insertion angle of screws plays a key role in the performance of joints, not only because it relates to the shank to grain angle, but also because it affects the amount of wood involved in the bearing mechanism. Design models of STS connections are presented and discussed, and the test results are compared against analytical predictions. While good agreement for load-carrying capacity was obtained, the existing stiffness model seems less adequate with a consistent overestimation.