Steel-to-timber joints of beech-LVL with very high strength steel dowels

Double-shear steel-to-timber joints of beech laminated veneer lumber (LVL) with slotted-in steel plates using very high strength steel (VHSS) dowels have been investigated. Tensile tests on full-scale joints with one, two, three, and six dowels have been carried out, using both VHSS and mild steel dowels. The goal of the research was to investigate the mechanical behavior of joints of beech-LVL, with regard to load-carrying capacity (LCC), ductility, stiffness; and to find out whether the current design rules of Eurocode 5 are suitable for LVL and VHSS steels. Other examined aspects were the effect of multiple fasteners in a row and the influence of fastener steel grade. Tests showed higher values of joints with VHSS dowels, characterized generally by low scatter. The prediction ability of Eurocode 5 has been found to be inadequate and too conservative. A proposal for improvement is included.