Dowel-nut connection in Douglas-fir peeler cores

Ronald W. Wolfe; John R. King; Agron Gjinolli

Treesearch

Dowel-nut connection in Douglas-fir peeler cores

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Ronald W. Wolfe, John R. King, Agron Gjinolli

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

Source:

(Research paper FPL ; RP-586):16 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.

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Download (PDF 191 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/6003.pdf

Abstract

As part of an effort to encourage more efficient use of small-diameter timber, the Forest Products Laboratory cooperated with Geiger Engineers in a study of the structural properties of Douglas-fir peeler cores and the efficacy of a bdowel-nutc connection detail for application in the design of a space frame roof system. A 44.5-mm- (1.75-in.-) diameter dowel-nut connector was found to be economically feasible at a design capacity of 44.5 kN (1.0 * 104 lbf) for a 127-mm- (5-in.-) diameter Douglas-fir peeler core. Variables that affect joint strength and failure mode are location of the dowel nut, wood moisture content, presence of reaction wood, and grain angle orientation with respect to force vectors. The results of this study provide a basis for deriving design properties for peeler core structural application in a space frame roof system and the foundation for establishing a database to support small-diameter timber design and construction standards.

Keywords

Pseudotsuga menziesii, Logs, Dowelled joints, Joints

Citation

Wolfe, Ronald W.; King, John R.; Gjinolli, Agron. Dowel-nut connection in Douglas-fir peeler cores. (Research paper FPL ; RP-586):16 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.