Splitting Resistance of Timber Beams under Bolted Steel-Plate Connections Perpendicular to Grain Experiments and Theoretical Analysis

摘要

Timber structures offer advantages such as environmental sustainability and low carbon emissions. Among dowel-type connections, bolted connections with steel plates are widely used. However, the splitting capacity of timber beams under perpendicular-to-grain loading via such connections is influenced by multiple factors, leading to significant discrepancies among existing calculation formulas and results. Based on preliminary experimental research, this study tested a total of 113 timber beams and 6 bamboo glulam beams with steel plate bolted connections under perpendicular-to-grain loading. Specimens were categorized into two main groups based on member material type and total connection width. Results indicate that splitting capacity increases with the material density of wood and bamboo, exhibiting an essentially linear correlation. Furthermore, splitting capacity increases with total connection width until reaching a plateau beyond a certain width. Based on test results and current calculation models, a modified model for predicting the splitting capacity of bolted connections under perpendicular-to-grain loading is proposed. The average ratio of calculated to literature-reported experimental splitting capacities is 0.975. More importantly, this modified model considers a comprehensive set of influencing factors, offering broader applicability and improved usability for engineering design