Implicit in current design practice of minimum uplift capacity, is the assumption that the connection's capacity is proportional to the number of fasteners per connection joint. This assumption may overestimate the capacity of joints by a factor of two or more and maybe the cause of connection failures in extreme wind events. The current research serves to modify the current practice by proposing a realistic relationship between the number of fasteners and the capacity of the joint. The research is also aimed at further development of non-intrusive continuous load path (CLP) connection system using Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) and epoxy. Suitable designs were developed for stud to top plate and gable end connections and tests were performed to evaluate the ultimate load, creep and fatigue behavior. The objective was to determine the performance of the connections under simulated sustained hurricane conditions. The performance of the new connections was satisfactory.

To design a bridge, different typologies of construction materials can be used. All materials have in common that deformations occur due to different events, such as externalloading, temperature- and moisture variations. To allow these kinds of deformations,Expansion Joints (EJs) are used in the structure. In timber bridges, these joints haveturned out to be a complex construction detail, due to problems related to their strengthand moisture capacity. The purpose of this thesis is to overview design codes and tostudy the mechanical behavior of Nosing EJs in a roadway timber bridge under externalloading. The aim is to identify critical actions and provide an alternative design of thestudied EJ. The aim is also to create a Finite Element (FE) model of the EJs and carryout calculations according to the design codes. To achieve this, literature studies, designcalculations and FE-simulations were performed. It turned out that there were lack ofearlier studies within this field. Therefore, studies which treats EJs in bridges with othermaterial than timber were considered. The results from the simulations indicated thatthe steel components in EJs are the most exposed parts in the detail. It also turned outthat an eventual failure can transferred away from the screws to the parts consideredmore favorable in the EJ.

In earlier wood constructions, the method of joining the parts was by the carpenter joint. There are many different kinds of carpenter joints. The kind of carpenter joint that was used was partly due to the type of building, but also to local variations in building tradition.  The industrialization at the end of the 19thcentury led to new construction technology with new types of joints. It gradually became more difficult for the craftsmen to compete with mass-produced standard joints with screws and nails. During the latter half of the 20thcentury, it once again began to become popular with the carpenter joint. New technology in the wood industry began to make carpenter joints competitive.  Modern technology with modeling of geometries has made it possible to analyze and optimize structures and joints in a new way. Verification through tests has also led to increased understanding of wood joints.  Calculation of the load bearing capacity in carpenter joints is possible by applying calculation rules in Eurocode.   The purpose with this study is to verify strength calculations for a traditional carpenter joint.  An analysis of an imagined timber frame and roof truss was made in a calculation program to assess in a rough manner what section forces the structure was subjected to.   A dovetail joint in the roof truss shown in fig. 1 was chosen for further analysis.  Manual calculation of the load bearing capacity in the dovetail joint was made. Verification of the calculations was then done through strength tests in a lab.   The study shows that it is possible to calculate the load bearing capacity in a dovetail joint and that account must be taken to eccentricities in the joint and varying wood quality. / I äldre träbärverk var metoden för sammanfogning av virkesdelar hophuggningen. Det finns en mängd olika typer av hophuggningar. Vilken typ av hophuggning som användes berodde dels på byggnadstypen men även på lokala variationer i byggnadstradition. Industrialiseringen under slutet på 1800-talet bidrog till ny byggteknik med nya typer av förband. Det blev efter hand svårare för timmermännen att konkurrera med massproducerade standardförband med skruv och spik. Under senare halvan av 1900-talet började det åter bli populärt med hophuggningen. Ny teknik inom träindustrin började åter göra timmerförband konkurrenskraftiga. Modern teknik med modellering av geometrier har även gjort det möjligt att på ett nytt sätt analysera och optimera bärverk och förband. Verifiering genom tester har också lett till ökad förståelse av timmerförband. Beräkning av bärförmågan i hophuggningar är möjligt genom tillämpning av beräkningsregler i Eurokod. Syftet med detta arbete är att verifiera hållfasthetsberäkningar för ett traditionellt timmerförband.  En analys av en tänkt timmerram och takstol gjordes i ett beräkningsprogram för att på ett överslagsmässigt sätt bedöma vilka snittkrafter konstruktionen utsattes för. Ett laxförband i takstolen som visas i fig. 1 valdes ut för vidare analys. Manuell beräkning av bärförmågan i laxförbandet gjordes. Verifiering av beräkningarna gjordes därefter genom hållfasthetsprovning av förbandet i laborationslokal. Studien pekar mot att det går att med tillförlitlighet beräkna bärförmågan för ett traditionellt laxförband och att hänsyn skall tas till excentriciteter och varierande virkeskvalitet.

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.