Numerical and Experimental Analysis of the Rotational Stiffness of a Timber Semi-Rigid Dowel-Type Connection

The paper deals with the analysis of the rotational stiffness of a semirigid connection created from a system of two stands and a rung. The connection was made from glued laminated timber with metal mechanical dowel-type fasteners. Not only a common combination of bolts and dowels but also fully threaded screws were used for the connection. The aim of the research and its motivation was to replace commonly used fasteners with more modern ones, to shorten and simplify the assembly time, and to improve the load-carrying capacity of this type of connection. Each of these two types of connection was loaded to the level of 60%, 80%, and 100% of the ultimate limit state value. Subsequently, the rotational stiffness was determined for each load level after five loading and unloading cycles. This paper presents the results and comparison of the experimental testing and the numerical modeling. The obtained results were also compared with the assumption according to the currently valid standard.