ABSTRACT
This paper describes an investigation into the fire performance of different types of connections in laminated veneer lumber (LVL) made from radiata pine. The capacity of the connections depends on the shear between the wood members which in turn depends on the embedding strength of the wood and on the yield moment of the connectors. The purpose of the research was to investigate the relationship between the failure load of LVL timber and the time to failure of the connections when exposed to fire. To determine connection performance, an experimental investigation was carried out on the axial tensile strength of three types of connection that utilised either wood or steel splice plates to connect the LVL members. The three specimen arrangements tested were wood-wood-wood, steel-wood-steel, and wood-steel-wood. The fasteners tested included bolts, dowels, nails, screws and proprietary connectors. Some specimens were tested at ambient temperature to determine the ultimate strength of the different types of connection, while similar specimens were tested in fire conditions while the applied load was kept at a constant level. Several connection types using steel splice plates were treated with intumescent paint to provide a measure of fire protection. This increased the time to failure for the nailed and bolted connections.
