Wood Connections with Heavy Bolts and Steel Plates
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 116, Issue 11
Abstract
Due to some recent failures, the use of large‐diameter bolts in timber connections appears to be questionable. The design procedure used today is mostly based on research that was performed in 1932. This paper presents the results of a study that was conducted to examine current design practices for bolts of 1 and 1.5 in. (25 and 38 mm) diameter in the low ratio range, when the connection is loaded perpendicular to grain by steel side plates. In addition, bolt‐modification factors and specification design geometry are examined for multiple bolt connections. The results are evaluated by comparison to yield theory as well as current design criteria. The correlation with yield theory and the results of other researchers is good for 1 in. (25 mm) diameter bolts; the 1.5 in. (38 mm) bolts did not perform as well as expected. The findings indicate that the current bolt‐modification factors may be unconservative for six bolt connections. Additionally, 1.5 in. (38 mm) diameter bolts exhibit reduced normalized bearing strengths in the low range. The design values for the 1 in. (25 mm) diameter bolts appear to be conservative.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 116 • Issue 11 • November 1990
Pages: 3090 - 3107
Copyright
Copyright © 1990 ASCE.
History
Published online: Nov 1, 1990
Published in print: Nov 1990
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