Small-Scale Modeling of Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Truss Joints
Gupta, R
Department of Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Miller, T
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Kittel, M
LOCHNER, Salem, OR

(Received 25 October 2002; accepted 21 December 2004)

Abstract
The objective of this research was to develop 1/3-scale models of full-size (prototype) metal-plate-connected wood truss joints and a complete truss using similitude theory. To verify material properties, we compared moduli of elasticity of prototype and 1/3-scale model boards. Although the variation in stiffness of the model was greater than that of the prototype, the average properties of the model and prototype were similar. The resulting average design stiffness of 1/3-scale tension splice joints was within 1 % of the prototype joint stiffness, while the ultimate load was 7 % lower than the prototype. Stiffness and strength of model heel joints were within 22 % and 17 %, respectively, of the stiffness and strength of their prototypes. Finally, ten complete model trusses were fabricated and tested; their average stiffness and strength were 780 N/mm and 17.3 kN, respectively, after scaling up by similitude. Modeling full-size truss connection behavior up to the design load, and possibly to failure, with small-scale models and similitude theory may be feasible.

Keywords:
modeling, modulus of elasticity, similitude, small-scale modeling, stiffness, strength, truss joints, wood trusses

Paper ID: JTE11774
DOI: 10.1520/JTE11774

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Author Gupta, R Affiliation Department of Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR Author Miller, T Affiliation Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR Author Kittel, M Affiliation LOCHNER, Salem, OR Author Gupta R, Miller TH, Kittel MR Title Small-Scale Modeling of Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Truss Joints Symposium , Committee on