Bolted wood connections loaded perpendicular-to-grain: Effect on wood species

This thesis deals specifically with the splitting mode of failure, for bolted connections loaded perpendicular to grain in glued laminated timber (glulam). In 2004, a new design equation was developed by Lehoux and Quenneville to predict the ultimate load capacity of these splitting failures. Although the new design equation takes into account the many parameters that affect the ultimate load capacity, the equation is only valid for the Spruce-Pine glulam species and connections with two rows of bolts. Therefore, experimental program and research in this document was undertaken to assess the effect of wood species on connection resistance and to further the equation by Lehoux and Quenneville to allow for connections with one row of bolts.; The research program consisted of experimental testing on glulam beams loaded perpendicular to grain. Both Douglas-Fir and Spruce-Pine beams were tested to failure to determine the effect of wood species on connection resistance. Laboratory testing was also completed on one row bolted connections for the purpose of expanding the proposed equation by Lehoux and Quenneville.; Based on the results of this research, two major conclusions are drawn. The difference in resistance of bolted connections loaded perpendicular-to-grain in Douglas-Fir and Spruce-Pine glulam is not significant. The splitting equation by Lehoux and Quenneville was revised and is now able to predict the capacity of one row bolted connections.