Test and Evaluation of Split Ring Shear Connectors in Laminated Wood and Laminated Wood Bolts.

This paper describes the procedures used to establish the strength of 4 inch diameter beveled TECO split-ring shear connectors in PERMALI laminated wood gusset plate material. Fifty-one specimens were tested with varying combinations of end and edge distances. The effect of surface grain orientation to direction of loading was also investigated. Test data for split-ring shear connectors are presented as load-deformation curves. Ultimate load capacity is shown to be a function of end and edge distance but relatively independent of surface grain orientation to direction of loading. End and edge distances greater than 3.5 inches do not appear to significantly increase the shear strength of the split-ring connector. Laminated wood bolts having a nominal diameter of 34 inch were tested under various states of combined stress. Test data is presented in tabular and graphical form. The bolts are shown to behave as a bilinear material with independent ultimate tensile and torsional stresses. The most frequent failure mode was the shearing off of the threads on the wood bolts. After applying a load duration factor for testing and a factor of safety of 2, allowable design loads of 1600 lb in tension and 9.5 ft-lb in torsion are recommended. Author