Characterization by Full-Size Testing of Pultruded Frame Joints for the Startlink House

Abstract

Presented in this paper are test results to determine the moment-rotation characteristics of joint details for a portal frame specific to a pultruded fiber reinforced polymer assembly for the Startlink house. Two joints having beam-to-column dowel connections, with and without extra adhesively bonding, were statically loaded in increments of moment or rotation to ultimate failure. The floor beam and stud column members are bespoke closed sections developed for Startlink Lightweight Building System. The serviceability design calculations for the demonstrator house at Bourne, England assumed the joints rigid. Clauses in an English standard are applied to classify the measured rotational stiffnesses against the rigid requirement, and an evaluation is made of the modes of failure with respect to the design moments. Only the joint with extra bonding between the mating surfaces of the members is classified as rigid. Both joints are shown to have an acceptable strength.