Experimental study on splitting strength of sawn lumber loaded perpendicular to grain by bolted steel-wood-steel connections

Connections in timber beams loaded perpendicular to the wood grain are prone to brittle splitting failure. Different approaches can be found in the literature and design codes to account for the splitting capacity in the design of the structure. To study the splitting strength of timber beams loaded perpendicular to the wood grain by bolted steel-wood-steel connections, a total of 240 larch timber beams were tested. The impacts of the diameter of bolts, the number of bolts, the relative connection height, the beam span, and multiple connections of simply supported beams and continuous beams as well as the connection locations with respect to simply supported beams and overhanging beams on the splitting capacity, were investigated. Material properties such as the perpendicular-to-grain tensile strength, modulus of elasticity parallel to the wood grain, and Mode I fracture energy of the tested beams were also evaluated. Based on the comparisons between the test results and the predictions of different approaches for timber beams loaded perpendicular to the wood grain using bolted steelwood-steel connections, the prediction ability of different approaches was analyzed and recommendations for the approach modification were given.

Automated summary

The study investigated the splitting strength of timber beams loaded perpendicular to the wood grain by bolted steel-wood-steel connections. Various factors affecting the splitting capacity were studied and recommendations for approach modification were provided based on comparisons between test results and predictions.