Embedment Strength of Cross-Laminated Timber for Smooth Dowel-type Fasteners

Abstract

Embedment strength is a significant property in the dowel type connection in timber structure, i.e. cross-laminated timber (CLT). The CLT design properties are different from those of sawn timber (ST) and glued-laminated timber (GLT) because of the orthogonal structure, which may particularly have influence on the design of connections. The layup feature, i.e. the thickness ratio of transverse layer (TRTL) was considered as an effective factor on CLT embedment strength in this study, except for other factors, i.e. wood density, smooth dowel diameter, and loading angle. Approximate 660 embedment tests were performed according to ASTM D5764 half-hole test method. A few of existing design models for CLT embedment strength were evaluated using experimental data. It was found that different factors had different effect tendency and each factor had statistically significant impact on CLT embedment strength. The embedment strength and failure modes of CLT were obviously different from those of GLT due to the existence of transverse layer in CLT. The existing design equations should be improved. Based on the test results, a new design equation was proposed which had better prediction.