Experimental investigation on stapled and nailed connections in light timber frame walls

• Experimental results for monotonic and cyclic tests on stapled and threaded nailed connections.
• Stapled connections oriented at 90° and nailed connections behaviors are similar.
• The component strength is impacted by the orientation of the staples.
• The increase of strain rates leads to a decrease of the connections’ ductilities in cyclic tests.

Regarding shear wall, the use of staples to connect sheathing panels to wooden studs and horizontal members is increasing because of a faster manufacturing process. In order to enhance the knowledge of the behavior of such connection, this paper presents experimental results for monotonic and cyclic tests (for two levels of strain rate) on stapled and threaded nailed connections. Concerning monotonic tests, stapled connections behavior oriented at 90° and nailed ones is similar; also the component strength is impacted by the orientation of the staples. Concerning cyclic tests, in addition to observations on the monotonic tests, the increase of strain rates leads to an effective decrease of the connections’ ductilities.