Load Duration and Seasoning Effects on Mortise & Tennon Joinery

1. Introduction
1.1. Timber Frame Introduction/History
Timber frames, consisting of heavy timber members with carpentry-style joinery,
played an integral part in construction for centuries, providing strong <strong>and</strong> durable frames
for structures of all kinds. Traditional timber framing utilizes several different types of
joints for different connection needs. Tension connections often use a mortise <strong>and</strong> tenon
joint (Figure 1-1); these joints use a wooden peg to fasten the tenon inside of the mortise.
Mortise
Tenon
Post
Beam
Figure 1-1 Mortise <strong>and</strong> Tenon Joint from Schmidt <strong>and</strong> Daniels (1999)
Increased production rates of saw mills <strong>and</strong> the ability to construct stick-frame
structures in a short period of time lead to a shift in building methods away from of
timber framing in the 19 th century. In recent decades however, timber framing has
experienced a revival. With the revival in timber framing, new methods of enclosing the
frame have been developed. Prefabricated panels can span between bays of the timber
frame to provide a well insulated enclosure system. This development along with the
1