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Numerical analyses for the prediction of the splitting strength of beams loaded perpendicular-to-grain by dowel-type connections

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Abstract

The paper presents a parametric numerical study on the splitting strength of timber beams loaded perpendicular-to-grain by dowel-type connections. The main aims of the numerical investigations are: (1) find out the influence of main connection parameters on the splitting strength of beams; (2) compare the above evaluated influences with the ones proposed by the first author in a recently developed semi-empirical prediction formula. The first part of the paper presents the mentioned new semi-empirical prediction formula which has been developed by means of a survey on experimental data from literature. The formula is presented in its main aspects and later its prediction capability is discussed and compared with the ones of formulae embodied in new European and German design codes for timber structures. The second part of the paper reports the main results of parametric numerical analyses carried out in the framework of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) by means of a crack propagation approach. The analyses are performed on beams of different size loaded at mid-span by both single and multiple dowel connections. The main investigated parameters are the connection width (l r), the connection depth (h m), and the number of rows of fasteners (n). They are analysed for different beam heights (h) and for different distances of the most distant row of fasteners from beam loaded edge (h e). The numerical results are compared with available experimental test data and with the relationships embodied in the above-mentioned semi-empirical prediction formula.

Résumé

L’article présente les résultats d’une étude numérique paramétrique qui analyse la résistance à la fissuration de poutres en bois chargées perpendiculairement aux fibres de connexions, avec des connecteurs cylindriques. Le but principal de cette étude numérique est: (1) déterminer l’influence des paramètres principaux des connexions sur la résistance à fissuration des poutres; (2) comparer les résultats obtenus avec les résultats proposés par Ballerini dans une formule récente de prédiction semi-empirique. La première partie de l’article présente la formula citée de prédiction semi-empirique développée sur base d’une analyse des données expérimentales disponibles dans le texte. La formule est illustrée dans ses aspects principaux et par la suite sa capacité prévisible est comparée avec celle des formules adoptées par les récentes normes européennes et allemandes pour les structures en bois. La seconde partie de l’article reprend les principaux résultats de l’analyse numérique paramétrique développés dans le domaine de la Mécanique de la Fracture Linéaire Elastique (LEFM) à l’aide d’analyses avec propagation de fissure. Les analyses concernent des poutres de différentes dimensions chargées en ligne de connexions avec un ou plusieurs connecteurs cylindriques. Les paramètres principaux étudiés sont la largeur (lr), la hauteur (hm) et le nombre de lignes des connecteurs (n) de la connexion. Les analyses concernaient des poutres de différentes hauteurs (h) et placés à différentes distances par rapport au bord des poutres de la ligne des connecteurs plus éloignée (he). Les résultats numériques sont comparés avec les données expérimentales disponibles et les études prévues par la formule citée de prédiction semi-empirique.

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  1. Faculty of Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38050, Trento, Italy

    Marco Ballerini & Mirko Rizzi

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  1. Marco Ballerini
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  2. Mirko Rizzi
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Correspondence to Marco Ballerini.

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Ballerini, M., Rizzi, M. Numerical analyses for the prediction of the splitting strength of beams loaded perpendicular-to-grain by dowel-type connections. Mater Struct 40, 139–149 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-006-9156-2

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