This study was performed to characterize and understand static loading capacities of the T-shaped, end-toace, mortise-and-tenon joints in pine plywood and oriented strandboard (OSB), and to develop mechanical models to predict its tensile, moment, and torsional resistance capacities. Results of the study indicated that the tensile resistance of a stapled-and-glued mortise-and-tenon joint in pine plywood and OSB ranges from 505 to 1933 lb. and 306 to 845 lb., respectively; the moment resistance ranges from 780 to 4428 lb.-in. and 612 to 2309 lb.-in., respectively; and the torsional resistance ranges from 598 to 2292 lb.-in. and 439 to 1260 lb.-in., respectively. The mechanical models proposed in this study were experimentally validated. The tensile, moment, and torsional resistances of a T-shaped, end-toace, stapled-and-glued, mortise-and-tenon joints can be estimated based on knowing basic material properties of single-staple tensile, lateral shear resistance, and material end-toace glue bonding tensile strength and shear strength.

This thesis aims to develop knowledge of non-metallic connections in order to develop and change the Swedish wood architecture as well as wood structures. The main question being "Are metal-free connections suitable for contemporary timber buildings?". In the theory chapter, facts about wood are introduced, followed by literature studies and previous research. Through literature research in the university database and conducting interviews with an architect, a designer and a carpenter, data was collected for the design process and for the calculation of the dimensions for one of the selected glulam connections. The result showed that there is a lack of knowledge in Sweden regarding non-metallic connections, other countries such as Switzerland are more developed in the area and has accepted the idea of this concept. The result also showed that the lack of strength in wooden connections lead to large dimensions of the timber elements, but an aesthetic advantage can be developed. Finally, the results are discussed and analyzed according to the different requirements set on appearance, durability and manufacturability. / Detta examensarbete syftar till att utveckla kunskap om metallfria knutpunkter för att möjliggöra en mer varierad svensk träarkitektur. Den övergripande frågan har varit ”Hur väl lämpar sig metallfria knutpunkter för nutida byggande av träkonstruktioner?”. I teorikapitlet beskrivs fakta om materialet trä, följt av beskrivning av litteratur och tidigare forskning som är relevant för denna studie. Genom en litteraturstudie via universitetets databaser samt intervjuer med en arkitekt, en konstruktör och en möbeldesigner samlades data för gestaltningsprocessen och dimensionering av en knutpunkt i limträ. Resultatet visade att det finns kunskapsbrist i Sverige gällande metallfria knutpunkter, andra länder som Schweiz är mer utvecklade inom området samt har accepterat tanken på detta koncept. Resultatet visade även att frågor kring hållfasthet leder till stora dimensioner för de ingående träelementen, men att en estetisk fördel kan utvecklas. Slutligen diskuteras och analyseras resultaten utefter olika krav som ställts på utseende, hållfasthet och tillverkning.