Rotational performance of spliced glulam joints with slotted-in-steel-plates and dowel-type fasteners: Experimental investigation and analytical approach

• Published in: Journal of Building Engineering 2024-11, Vol.96, p.110561, Article 110561
• Main Authors: Ou, Jiajia, Wang, Yijing, He, Minjuan, Long, Weiguo, Li, Zheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calculation methods; Finite element modelling; Mechanical properties; Spliced joints; Timber structures
• ISSN: 2352-7102; 2352-7102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.110561

Due to the environmental friendliness and good architectural aesthetic, large-span timber structures are increasingly attracting more attentions from both academia and industry. Spliced joints are critical connections in large-span glulam members. In this research, the rotational performance of spliced glulam joints with slotted-in-steel-plates were studied. Four full-scale specimens with three different configurations were designed. Cyclic loading test was carried out to obtain the load resisting capacity of the specimens, and finite element models were developed and verified by the test results. The multiple fasteners in the joint exacerbated the convergence difficulties caused by the non-linearity of interactions, thus the key points for convergence performance of the model were also discussed. The stress distribution and the contact-free displacement measurement were obtained to investigate the load resisting mechanism of the joints. A series of calculation formulas for the ultimate strength of the joints were then deduced. The formulas were further verified by the tests and finite element modeling. For most cases, the formulas can well predict the bearing capacity. However, when the numbers of rows and columns are odd, the calculation will underestimate the strengths. Therefore, the results were amplified with a configuration-related parameter under this condition. The parameter was then simplified as a constant coefficient for easier calculation. The modified results constrained the errors within 10 %. The presented research in this paper aims to benefit the engineering design and of spliced joints for large-span glulam members, which may help to support the development of large-span timber structures. •Experiments and finite element models were applied for the rotational performance of spliced glulam joints.•The finite element model matches well with the experiment results, the key point formodelling were discussed.•Calculation formulas for the ultimate strength of the joints were deduced and further verified by the tests and finite element modeling.•The calculations were modified for more accurate prediction.