Brittle failure in the parallel-to-grain direction of multiple shear softwood timber connections with slotted-in steel plates and dowel-type fasteners

摘要

The multiple shear connection with slotted-in steel plates and dowel-type fasteners is a very efficient timber joint for large timber cross sections. It is used in practice, mainly due to its high capacity and its better performance under fire. However, when the number of inner plates is increased, instead of a ductile mechanism, brittle failure may govern its capacity. No standard deals explicitly with this kind of joint.A set of tests has been performed in order to study the brittle failure of this kind of connections. The test results are then compared with the available prediction models that study both ductile and brittle failure modes to assess their prediction accuracy. An improved model for the assessment of the brittle failure mode for the multiple shear connections with slotted-in steel plates and dowel-type fasteners is then proposed. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.