Low Cyclic Reversed Experiment and Capacity of Glued Laminated Timber Connections with Steel End Plate

Abstract:

A new type of connection with slottedin steel plates and steel end plate was proposed for glued laminated timber structures. Experiments on new connections with different thicknesses of steel end plates and a bolted connection with slottedin steel plates were conducted under low cyclic reversed loading. The results show that the new type connection makes progress in ductility and energy dissipation. Conclusions can also be obtained that there are close correlations between the thickness of the end plate and the performance of the new type connection. A formula for the yield load of the end plate connections was deduced based on virtual work principle. Three failure modes of the new type of connection were analyzed and the bearing capacity formulas for each mode were deduced. The calculation results of the formulas agree well with those of the experiments. Several suggestions for the selection of the end plate thickness are given.