Slip modulus in bolted timber joints

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the initial load–slip behaviour of laterally loaded bolted timber joints and deals specifically with verifying a theory for determining the values of slip modulus in mechanically fastened timber joints. Such a theory is essential in dealing with the phenomenon of interlayer slip, which occurs in built-up timber columns with nonrigid joints. The concept of a beam on an elastic foundation is used to evaluate the slip modulus. The theoretical predictions are compared with the test results of 75 timber joints. Good agreement is observed between the experiment and the theory. Key words: timber joints, bolts, nails, wood, interlayer slip, slip modulus, built-up wood columns, shear, lateral loads.