LOAD-TRANSFER MECHANISMS IN TIMBER CONNECTIONS USING DENSIFIED WOOD AND STEEL DOWELS: AN EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY

Abstract

This study presents an experimental and numerical investigation of the mechanical behaviour of L-shaped timber connections assembled using densified wood dowels and steel dowels under ambient mechanical loading conditions. Mechanical tests were con-ducted on a multilayer timber beam–column connection to determine the load–displacement response of the joint system. In parallel, a three-dimensional finite ele-ment model was developed in Abaqus to simulate the structural behaviour and to inves-tigate the load-transfer mechanisms within the connection region. The numerical re-sults show good agreement with the experimental response, demonstrating the capabil-ity of the model to accurately reproduce the global behaviour of the connection. Alt-hough the two types of dowels exhibit relatively similar overall stiffness, the stress dis-tribution along the grain (S11) and the stress fields within the joint reveal fundamental-ly different load-transfer mechanisms. Steel dowels provide a more uniform stress dis-tribution and more efficient force transfer, whereas densified wood dowels exhibit more localized stress concentrations and a more compliant mechanical response. Nev-ertheless, the use of densified wood dowels may offer advantages in terms of material compatibility and potential thermal performance under elevated temperatures. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanical behaviour of timber connections using different dowel types and provide a reference basis for future ther-mo-mechanical investigations of timber structures exposed to fire