Finger-jointed wood compressed parallel to the grain: Experiment and modelling

Abstract

Compression tests of pine specimens of two types with initial dimensions of 40x40x80 mm and 40x40x80 mm with finger-joints are considered. Tests on similar specimens without finger-joints are also analyses for comparison. The experiments showed that the finger-joint in the investigated specimens reduced the peak load on the specimen as well as the load in the post-peak stage of plastic deformation. A methodology for modelling the load-displacement relationship taking into account the plastic deformation of wood with a finger-joint in the post-peak stage is proposed. The modelling results do not contradict the experimental data. The basic equation of the proposed mathematical model can be used in further studies to analyse the energy characteristics of the deformation process of wooden elements of building structures.