Metal plate connected (MPC) joints are commonly used in modern timber truss construction. These joints are typically constructed using light gage steel plates with teeth that are pressed into 2x truss members to form connections. These connections are often modeled as either pinned or fully fixed. Partially rigid connections are sometimes modeled but the amount of rigidity that should be used is not well understood. Analytical models for the bending rigidity of MPC joints were developed based on experimental testing of several MPC connections. A simplified method for determining the rigidity of MPC joints was developed so that more accurate values can be used in analysis software.
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