Entwicklung einer optimierten Schraubengeometrie für hochbeanspruchte Stahl-Holz-Verbindungen

Development of an optimized screw geometry for high-stressed steel-to-timber joints

This paper deals with the geometrical optimization of mainly axially loaded self-tapping screws applied in steel-to-timber joints under tension parallel to grain. Focusing on steel failure, the head geometry and the zone before the thread were adapted. Consequently, differences to standard products were verified by laboratory tests on full-scale steel-to-timber joints and also by numerical modeling. A 2 to 8 % increase of load bearing resistance, a displacement of the location of screw failure deeper into the timber member as well as the development of a plastic hinge close to the head are the essential results of this study. Especially the yield deformation leads to a more homogenous load sharing between a group of screws, caused by an increased potential of ductility, and to an enhanced bearing behavior under long term as well as pulsating tensile loadings. In addition to that a proposal for the verification of the net cross-section of tensile joints with self-tapping screws is given.