Experimental Verification of the Stiffness of a Semi-Rigid Timber Connection

Abstract

Modern fasteners offer new options for the design of timber load-bearing structures. In the design, the traditional hinged connections are increasingly being replaced with semi-rigid connections. Nevertheless, there is no feedback from the actual structures with this kind of connection regarding the accuracy of static calculations. The authors therefore decided to test one connection and compare the results with those obtained from calculation models. The paper presents the experimental verification of the frame connection in which the semi-rigid action was achieved by combining the aluminium Sherpa connector and total thread Rothoblaas screws. The timber samples were provided by Latti Extra.