Energy-based Design of Dowel Connections in Wood-Plastic Composites Hollow Sections

Abstract

The goal of this research was to develop a rational method of designing dowel-type connections for hollow wood-plastic composite sections. Models consisting of six controlling yield modes were developed to predict the hollow section connection behavior. The models were validated with double-shear unconstrained bolted connection tests using two wood-plastic composite formulations, three wall thicknesses, and three dowel diameters. The hollow section yield model performed well with an average difference between the theoretical maximum load and tested maximum load of 5.7%. The maximum connection loads were compared to the theoretical load calculated by entering the dowel bearing strength based on maximum load and a bending yield strength based on the stress in the dowel at the displacement of maximum connection load. Proposed design equations for WPC hollow section connection maximum loads were based on maximum dowel bearing strength and the codified 5% diameter offset dowel bending yield strength.