Experimental And Numerical Analysis of Glued-In Perforated Steel Plates Timber Connections
Abstract
Timber connections with Glued-in perforated steel plates (GiP) are being increasingly used in large-scale timber structures, including wind turbines towers, timber concrete composite floors, and lateral load-resisting systems for high-rise buildings. This paper presents a combined experimental and numerical investigation into the structural behavior and failure mechanisms of GiP connections. Small-scale testing was performed on single-dowel specimens to characterize the influence of key design parameters, including perforation features, steel plate thickness, adhesive layer thickness and glue dowel diameters on different connection behaviours (capacity, stiffness and failure modes). For the specific two-component epoxy investigated in this study, the results demonstrate that appropriately designed GiP connections can provide high stiffness and load-carrying capacity, and adequate ductility. Furthermore, numerical models employing linear-elastic and simplified damage-based constitutive assumptions reproduced the main experimental load-displacement trends, while the post-peak response and local fracture development remain approximate. This study establishes a fundamental understanding of GiP mechanics and provides validated modelling strategies for the tested material system, highlighting their potential as high-performance alternatives to conventional timber fasteners in demanding structural applications.
Reference
Zhengyao Li; Mahbube Subhani; Robert Jockwer; Mohammad Al-Emrani. (2026). Experimental And Numerical Analysis of Glued-In Perforated Steel Plates Timber Connections. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.7243551
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