The Embedment Failure of European Beech Compared to Spruce Wood and Standards

摘要

The embedment behaviour of European hardwoods in dowel-type connections is investigated through the analysis of tests performed on beech wood. Experimental results are evaluated using the 5% offset method. They are compared with estimations provided by the Eurocode 5 and the SIA 265 and with similar tests performed on spruce. Influences of the load-to-grain angle a and the fastener diameter d are investigated. Beech has a stronger hardening behaviour than spruce, and is very influenced by the fastener diameter. The comparison with the standards shows a general overestimation (at least 20%) of the experimental results, especially for loading perpendicular to the grain. The model provided by Eurocode 5 to consider the load-to-grain angle is better than the SIA 265 but is optimized for softwoods only. Thus a formula optimized for both species is proposed.