Strength and Behavior of Spruce Pine Glulam Timber Moment Connections Using Glued-In Steel Rods

Abstract

This paper presents experimental testing on glulam beam-column moment resisting connections using gluedin rods and compares results with model predictions. Three connections geometries, in term of number of rods and member size, were tested and compared.Experimental results showed the high efficiency of glued-in rods connections to transfer loads and bending moment between spruce-pine glulam timber members. It was found that the tested connections behave as a semi-rigid moment-resisting connection and may experience a ductile failure mode when properly designed.The observed failure modes of the connections were related to steel rods failure or wood splitting of the anchorage.Comparison of experimental results with model predictions showed good agreement.