Truss plate reinforced bolted connections in parallel strand lumber

This paper summarizes the results of an investigation into the behaviour of truss plate reinforced single and multiple bolted connections in parallel strand lumber (PSL) under static tension loading. Sixty single-bolt connect ions were tested with bolt and PSL size combinations of 12.7 mm bolts in 38 x140 mm specimens, 15.9 mm bolts in 89x140 mm specimens, and 22.2 mm bolts in 133x191 mm specimens. Another sixty multiple-bolt specimens were tested, using the above-mentioned PSL size and bolt combinations. The multiple-bol t connections consisted of two rows of five bolts in the 38x140 mm and 89x1 40 mm specimens and two rows of two bolts in the 133x191 mm specimens. Each connection was configured according to the Canadian Standard for Engineeri ng Design in Wood (CAN/CSA 086.1-94) in terms of bolt spacing, edge distanc es, and end distances. All reinforced single-bolt connections had average u ltimate strength increases, compared to unreinforced connections, of 3% for the 133x191 mm, 12% for the 89x140 mm, and 37% for the 38x140 mm specimens . Reinforcement had little effect on the strength of multiple-bolt connecti ons in both the 38x140 mm specimens and the 89x140 mm specimens. The reinfo rced four-bolt connections in the 133x191 mm specimens had a 7% increase in average ultimate strength. Reinforcement significantly improved the ductil ity in all the connections tested.