Experimental investigation of glued laminated timber beam tobeam connections

Abstract

In this article semi-rigid timber connections which are used as beam-to-beam connections, are analysed. These connections also may be implemented as beam-to-column or column-to-foundation connections.The main analysis and design principles of existing semi-rigid beam-to-beam connections are discussed. An innovative timber semi-rigid beam-to-beam connection construction is proposed and investigated experimentally. The analyzed connection is composed using welded steel details which are anchored into timber elements. Steel details are anchored into the timber element by a back T-shaped steel plate. Welded steel details are anchored into tension and compression joint zones. This creates the possibility of using such connections for elements in which acting bending moments and axial forces. Initial slip between timber and steel is eliminated by filling the gap between the timber and steel with filler. Two different types of fillers are used to fill the gap between the timber and steel: two component polyurethane and cement-based fillers with polymer fibres. Laboratory experiments on five joints with the same geometrical parameters are performed.