Modify Yield Theory equations to describe the effects of dowel tension and end restraints on load bearing capacity and initial stiffness. Project Description Small roundwood is defined as unprocessed wood poles with average diameters of six inches or less. Because of the small thickness, small roundwood is not readily sawn into standard size rectangular section lumber. Opportunities exist for construction applications using small roundwood because it has at least as good mechanical strength properties as equivalent thickness sizes of rectangular section lumber.
Possible uses are for agricultural structures and for recreation infrastructure.
To facilitate construction use, the problem of connection technology for small roundwood must be overcome. Results Yield Theory accurate predicts loading capacity for the bolted flitch-plate joints with no end restraints. The ultimate loading capacity of the connections increases, but the load level at the limit of proportionality in the load deformation curve is reduced. Ridge structures placed on a steel plate lodge in grooves across a slot in the roundwood, resulting in favorable load redistribution in the bolted flitch-plate connection. This allows an increase in ultimate loading capacity and initial stiffness characteristics.