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nents and jointed structures under static and dynamic loads in double
shear, bending, tension and moment-resisting configurations.
Non-metallic fasteners and fittings for laminated veneer lumber (LVL)
joints have been found to embody significant advantages compared with
standard steel fasteners. The performance of glass-reinforced plastic
(GRP), pultruded dowels and steel dowels have been compared and finite
element- (FE-) modelled in double shear. Failure loads for GRP pultruded
dowels are marginally higher than those for steel dowels and in the former
case damage occurs in the dowel and the LVL rather than in the LVL
alone. Moment-resisting joints based on friction-fitted, GRP dowels are
capable of absorbing more energy than joints secured by steel dowels and
this ductility is a key outcome of the research. Eurocode 5 design equations
for steel dowels have been modified for pultruded GRP dowels and
the concept of a cross breaking strength has been developed for design
purposes.
Conclusions
The research programme has made a significant contribution to the advancement
of better construction techniques for timber buildings by developing
jointing techniques based on non-metallic connectors. Whilst
these joints offer structural integrity, high aesthetic appeal, ease of manufacture,
and low weight, their key attributes are excellent ductility, low
cost (similar to steel per unit length) and commercial acceptability. The research
has place these advances in a Eurocode 5 context (design modifications)
and provided a foundation for current EPSRC- and EU-funded research
into novel joints based on bonded-in pultruded GRP rods.
CIB-W18 Timber Structures – A review of meeting 1-43 4 CONNECTIONS page 4.73