Experimental study on innovative connections for large span structural timber trusses

Abstract: Large span timber trusses are usually built with glulam. One problem with large span glulam trusses is that the connections needed to transfer the load between truss members are often complex and expensive. Another issue is transportation. Building large span trusses out of structural timber instead, could be a way of simplifying the connections and at the same time increase the degree of on-site construction and thereby solving the transportation problem.In this study, a total of 18 laboratory tests were performed with the purpose of investigating the tensile strength and the load slip behavior of different connection designs for large span structural timber trusses. Six different test groups corresponding to six different connection designs were tested. The materials used include members made of C24 timber and gusset plates made of birch plywood, aluminum, and steel. Screws were used as fasteners for five test groups and adhesive was used for one group. The influence of different reinforcement techniques including reinforcement screws and added aluminum sheets was studied.The results showed a ductile failure behavior for all test groups except for the group where adhesive was used. However, a decrease of ductility was observed for groups were aluminum sheets were used on the outsides of the mid placed plywood gusset plate. A 12-17 % increase in capacity was observed due to the presence of aluminum sheets. The reinforcement screws had no significant effect on the capacity. However, the presence of reinforcement screws did lead to a reduction in scatter both regarding capacity and stiffness.