ISSN: 0090-3973
Published Online: 30 April 2007
Page Count: 5

Boundary Condition Role in Tests of Wood Compression Webs

Leichti, Robert J.
Senior Compliance Engineer,Stanley Fastening Systems, LP,RI,

Kleemann, Karl
Formerly student,University of Karlsruhe (TH),

Miller, Thomas H.
Associate Professor,Dept. of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University,OR,

(Received 15 December 2004; accepted 3 February 2007)

Abstract

The important role of boundary conditions in tests of compression members was evaluated when determining the instability loads of asymmetric and nonprismatic compression webs for wood trusses. The compression webs were created by nailing a side member to the truss web so that the cross section was L-shaped. In the analytical investigation, the side members were assumed to be as long as the truss web, and the boundary conditions were for pinned and elastically restrained connections. In the experiments, L-reinforced webs were tested with pinned and metal-plate-connected boundary conditions and with side members of various lengths. The boundary conditions had a significant effect on stability load and the failure mode. Capacity of the L-reinforced truss web may be governed by the metal connector plate rather than wood strength or instability.

Keywords:
wood, nonprismatic column, boundary conditions, timber, truss web

Paper ID: JTE100161
DOI: 10.1520/JTE100161
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