| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 255902 | Construction and Building Materials | 2016 | 6 Pages |
•Rounded Dovetail Joints (RDJ) are a viable option to connect timber members.•Structural performance of hand- and machine routed joints is similar.•Design equation for RDJ yields conservative predictions.•RDJ performance can be improved through reinforcements.
The paper presents experimental investigations on different methods to increase the stiffness of Rounded Dovetail Joints (RDJs). Departing from a reference geometry, the specific methods were (i) oversizing the dovetail tenon part for a tighter fit; (ii) reinforcement with self-tapping screws; (iii) reinforcement with an adhesive layer; and (iv) a combination of adhesive layer and self-tapping screws. The specimens from the reinforced test series were compared to regular RDJ specimens and to beam to joist connections by means of self-tapping screws only. It was demonstrated that all methods significantly increased the joint stiffness of RDJs. Furthermore, the research showed that there is no difference in structural performance between hand-routed joints and CNC-routed joints, and that a previously suggested design equation for RDJs yields conservative predictions when compared to the experimentally obtained 5th percentile values.
