TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

Contents
Introduction
Fastener Specification and Application
Nails
Screws
Joint Design
Lateral Loads
Withdrawal
Fastener Spacings

Nail Fixed plywood shearwalls and nail

fabricated plywood box-beams

Connection Design
Direct Force Connections
Axial Type
Moment Connections
Computer Design of Moment Joints
Specifications
Other References

COVER PHOTO:
Commercial hardwood
decking fixed to sub-structure with hot dipped
galvanised decking spikes
Nailed plywood gussets provide moment
joints for portal frames

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

Introduction
In
domestic,
industrial
and
commercial
construction, nails are the most commonly used
and economical of all fasteners. If it is possible to
make any choice in fastener type on economic
grounds, nails should be selected.
Staples are also used extensively and may be
installed for a similar cost to nails. Their use is
usually restricted to specific details of lightweight
construction including flooring, diaphragms and
sheathing in addition to furniture, joinery and the
fixing of sheeting and upholstery to framing.
Plain screws are used in special situations but
have a higher installation cost than nails.
Typically, they are used for attaching hinges and
other fixtures where it may be necessary to
remove these objects at some later stage. The
development of Type 17 self-drilling power-driven
screws has led to more extensive use of screws in
fixing roof sheeting, roof battens, wall boards and,
more recently, heavy timber decking.
Type 17 screws provide a higher strength and a
more reliable form of fastening under withdrawal
loads.

All fasteners described herein are characterised

by having maximum loads limited by the
bending strength of the fastener rather than
bearing or cleavage failure of the wood. The
load capacity is independent of the direction of
load relative to the grain. Accordingly, it might
be expected that timber shrinkage under
adverse conditions will merely result in the
fastener bending rather than in the timber
splitting. While nails, staples and screws are
more accommodating than bolts and other high
capacity fasteners, large shrinkage strains in
poorly detailed joints can still cause splitting
problems if care is not exercised by designers
and builders.
Nails, staples and screws offer the following
advantages:
low installation cost per unit shear strength
rapid installation
high fire resistance
low joint deformation.
Nails, staples and screws may be used in a
range of timber connections including those
which transfer large force components. Costs
are minimal and the connections can be neat if
carefully detailed. Where space is limited and
loads high, designers should consider the use
of bolts and other high capacity fasteners.

Light framed construction uses nail fixings for most joints

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

Fastener Specification and
Application
Nails
Applications and Head Types
In AS 2334, the principle nail classification is on
the basis of application type. Refer Table 1.
Application type is associated principally with the
head type but is also affected by shank type and
surface treatment such as galvanising.
For pneumatic driving, a further range of nail head
types is available. The T-nail is used to fix flooring
but this has reduced resistance to pull-through.
Other pneumatically driven types include D-head,
flat head, pin head, and pinless head.
Point Types
In addition to nail types based on head shape, AS
2334, includes different point types. The standard
point type is the diamond with the point angle
formed at 35 but alternative types are illustrated in
Appendix D of AS 2334, which include pencil
(which penetrate concrete more readily and are
used on masonry nails), chisel and dump points.
Refer Figure 1. Blunt (shear) point nails are also
readily available. These alternatives are important
in timber construction. Diamond pointed nails
fracture brittle sheeting and experience shows they
also have a greater tendency to split hardwoods
and cypress.
If designers, construction
supervisors or builders find they are experiencing
difficult in nailing hardwood with conventional nails
a switch to dump, chisel or blunt pointed nails will
often solve the problem without there being any
need to resort to techniques such as pre-drilling. It
is claimed that these nails have reduced holding
(pull-out) power but this is not a serious
disadvantage.

Shank and Head Types

Nails can also be characterised by shank and
head type. The standard, called plain shank
in AS 1720.1, is smooth and should be used for
temporary work and general construction. Nails
with annular ring and screw (or spiral) shanks
are also available which provide superior
holding power to plain shank nails. There is a
tendency to use ring shank nails in softwood
and screw shank nails in hardwood.
Screw nails provide greater withdrawal
resistance than plain shank nails and are
particularly effective against shock loads and
reduce wood splitting.
Some appropriate
applications are flooring, panelling, gusset
plates, cladding, underlay, finishing, roofing and
plasterboard. A related nail type is the twist nail
which is easier to drive than the smooth shank
nail. The twist used is a less intense form of
spiral.
Ring type nails have high holding power
generated by the keying action of displaced
fibres acting against the nail grooves.
In
withdrawal, resistance drops sharply after initial
slip due to the rings tearing the wood fibres.
Accordingly, ring shank nails are not
recommended where shock loads are involved
but are suitable in high wind areas especially
where softwood framing is used. Data on
withdrawal capacities must be obtained from
nail manufacturers. Other applications include
underlay for flooring, plasterboard and pallets.
Plain, screw and ring nails are available for both
hand and pneumatic driving.
Refer Table 1 for schedule of nails types as
defined in AS 2334, STEEL NAILS METRIC
SERIES.
Materials
The most common material used in nail
manufacture is cold drawn, low carbon steel.
Refer AS 2334. Such nails are sufficiently
ductile to bend through 90 degrees at a radius
equal to their diameter without fracture or
cracking.
Although not covered by the
standard, this ductility requirement is only met
by plain and screw shank nails. Ring shank
nails, because they are formed by a work
hardening process, are more brittle and often
snap if bent in this way. This lack of ductility is
not a problem in most timber construction.

FIGURE 1 NAIL POINT TYPES

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

It is also possible to purchase nails made of
aluminium, copper, brass, silicon-bronze, stainless

steel and monel. Aluminium nails are used for

fixing aluminium sheeting and fittings and the
others in boat building and where especially
corrosive environments exist e.g., swimming pools.
TABLE 1

Monel nails have been used for the fixing of

western red cedar panelling. Because of their
smoother surface it is usually necessary for the
special type nails to have annular ring shanks
to improve withdrawal resistance.

NAIL TYPES (AS 2334)

Type

Bullet head nail

Application

Timber framing and general finishing

Flat head nail

Metal connectors, containers and

softwood framing

Hardboard nail

Hardboard fixing

Wallboard nail

Wallboard fixing

Cement sheet nail

Cement sheeting

Flex sheet nail

Galvanised sheeting, other flexible

sheeting

Soft sheet nail

Low density materials

eg. plastics

Clout

General fixing of thin sheets not

recommended for structural connectors
such as framing anchors

Plasterboard nail

Plasterboard fixing

Decking spike

Timber deck fixing

Duplex nail

Concrete formwork can be withdrawn

Roofing nail

Fix galvanised roof or wall sheeting

(non-cyclone areas only)

Fencing staple

IIlustration

Fix fencing wire

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

In exterior applications, the metal in some nails
reacts with extractives in the wood and forms
stains; e.g., uncoated steel nails can cause black
stains and copper nails leave green stains. The
solution to this problem is to use galvanised or
other nail types excluding copper.
Finishes and Coatings
Various special coatings and treatments also
increase nail holding power, provide corrosion
resistance and improve appearance.
The
treatments include:
plating
hot dipped galvanising
polymer and other coatings
Nickel and cadmium are the most commonly used
plating treatments. These improve appearance
and provide slightly improved corrosion resistance.

TABLE 2

BULLET HEAD NAILS

SIZE/LENGTH

Diameter

Lengths

2.0

30

40

45

50

2.5

40

45

50

65

3.15

45

50

65

75

3.75

65

75

90

100

4.5

75

100

5.0

100

125

5.6

125

150

Pneumatically driven nails are also available in

a wide range of length-diameter combinations
with a common range of diameters being 2.0
3.3 mm and lengths in the range of 50 90
mm.

Screws
Applications and Head Types
Plain wood screws are described in AS 1476,
and self-drilling types in AS 3566. As with nails,
plain screws are commonly classified by head
type and, herein, this same description is
extended to self-drilling types. Refer Table 3.
In addition to head type, screws are also
classified by the method of driving.
Hot dipped galvanised nails or screws should
be used in weather exposed situations
Hot dipped galvanising involves the application of
a zinc coating by hot dipping in a zinc bath. It
leaves a rough surface with enhanced withdrawal
and corrosion resistance characteristics.

Plain screw types are driven with a

conventional screw driver in the case of a
slotted head and with a Phillips driver in the
case of cross-recessed heads. Refer Figure 2.

Manufacturers also coat pneumatically driven nails

with plastics which are claimed to improve
withdrawal resistance. The coatings are activated
by the friction heat generated during driving and
manufacturers indicate they increase short term
withdrawal resistance by around 150 percent. A
process called phoscoating is also in use. This
involves the surface etching of an iron phosphate
coating, which tends to roughen the surface and
enhance the withdrawal resistance arising from
friction.
Preferred Diameter-Length Combinations
In selecting nails, designers should be aware that
diameters and lengths are available only in certain
combinations. Refer Table 2 for bullet head nails
and AS 2334, for details of other hand-driven nails.

FIGURE 2 SLOTTED AND CROSS

RECESSED SCREW HEADS

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

Self-drilling (Type 17) screws are available in a
wide variety of head shapes and driving types
appropriate to the particular application.
In general, the external and hexagonal recessed
drives are used where a high degree of directional
control and high torque is necessary during the
installation process.
The cross-recessed head is used where less
directional control and torque is needed.
Point Types
Plain wood screws have sharp conical (described
as Gimlet) points. The self-drilling types have a
special drilling point which can penetrate thin metal
sheet or wood without there being any need to predrill holes.

TABLE 3

Power driven screws provide secure fixing.

Countersunk heads may be appropriate for
some applications

SCREW TYPES
Type

Application

Illustration

TRADITIONAL (AS 1746)

Countersunk head slot
and cross-recessed drive

General finishing where the head

must be flush

Raised counter-sunk head

General finishing where the head is
slot and cross-recessed
featuring
drive

Round head slot drive

Use is not recommended

SELF-DRILLING (AS 3566) TYPE 17

Hexagon washer head
external hexagon drive

Roof sheet fixing. Used with

neoprene washer under head

Countersunk head crossrecessed drive

General fixing in wood to wood

connections

Wafer head
recessed drive

General fixing of proprietary metal

fastener to wood connections, where
roof sheeting rests on fastener

cross-

Bugle
head

crossrecessed and hexagonal

recessed heads

General fixing in wood to wood

connections where uplift may be
severe

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

Shank Types
Shank size is specified by a gauge number as
indicated in Table 4.
TABLE 4

With hexagonal roof fasteners, a shank is

available with threaded portions near the tip
and head but with an unthreaded portion in the
middle. The upper threaded section prevents
metal roofing sliding down the screw shank and
breaking the washer seal under localised
loading such as is caused by tradesman
walking on the ridges of roof sheeting.

SCREWS SHANK/GAUGE

Shank Size (mm)

Gauge

2.74

3.45

4.17

4.88

10

5.59

12

6.30

14

7.72

18

Materials
Plain screws are manufactured in low-carbon
steel, brass and stainless steel.
Type 17
screws are available in low carbon steel and
stainless steel.
Finishes
Electroplated finishes applied to screws include
zinc, zinc-chromate, cadmium, nickel and
chromium. These improve corrosion resistance
and appearance.
For higher corrosion
resistance in marine, salt or chemical
environments hot dipped galvanised, plated or
stainless steel screws should be used. Hot
dipped galvanised Type 17 screws are also
available.

The root diameter (the diameter at the base of the

thread) is specified in the respective standards but
the capacities provided in AS 1720, are in terms of
the screw gauge.
In plain wood screws a taper is used in the
threaded portion. The taper angle is chosen at the
discretion of the screw manufacturer.

Preferred Diameter-Length Combinations

Screw diameters (defined by the size or gauge
number) are manufactured only in a limited
range of lengths. Refer Table 5 for traditional
wood screws. Diameters may vary between
manufacturers.

The common Type 17 screws have parallel

shanks.
An alternative shank is available with two threads,
one with a high and one with a low profile which is
claimed to have increased holding power.

TABLE 5
Shank
Dia.
(mm)

The value is the minimum permitted under AS

1476. A corresponding range of preferred
diameter-length combinations is provided in AS
3566, for self-drilling screws.

WOOD SCREWS (AS 1476)

Size
(No.)

Length (mm)
6

8 10

12 16 20

25 30 35

40 45 50

1.98

2.29

2.64

2.97

3.33

3.68

4.04

4.39

4.72

10

5.38

12

6.05

14

6.76

16

60 70 80

90

100

120

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

Joint Design
Nails and screws may be used to form joints which
resist both direct forces (shear and axial) and
moments.
They are employed extensively in
domestic construction for connecting framing
members. They are also used for fabricating
plywood box-beams, stress skin panels, the
connection of sheathing, panelling and flooring and
to fabricate the joints of nailed plywood and steel
plate gusseted portal frames.
Lateral Loads
The capacity of individual fasteners is determined
by procedures outlined in AS 1649. In determining
the shear capacity the load at 0.4 mm
displacement and at the ultimate load are divided
by appropriate safety factors and the lower of the
two values is chosen in deriving the basic design
capacity. Usually, the relative slip of the two shear
faces increases rapidly just above the 0.4 mm
relative slip load which means that large increases
in slip, such as might be caused by moisture
movement, reduce the tendency to cause splitting.
The standard test is in double shear where it is
assumed that the load in single shear is half the
double shear value. The capacity of nails and
screws is the same for fasteners of the same
diameter.

For a satisfactory design it is necessary that N

Nj.
The design capacity Nj of a fastener is
computed using the following procedure:
1. The species of timber being fastened must
be known.
2. The seasoning state of the timber at the
time of driving the fasteners must also be
known and the service moisture content
estimated.
3. Reference is then made to Table 2.1 of AS
1720.1, which places the fastener into a
Joint Group.
The Joint Group will be one of J1 J6 for
unseasoned timbers and seasoned timbers
which will have a service moisture content
over 15 percent and JD1 JD6 for
seasoned timbers which remain at or below
15 percent moisture content in service.
4. The characteristic capacity Qk is obtained
from fastener capacity tables in AS 1720.1,
which is then modified by the relevant and
k factors to obtain the design capacity Nj.

AS 1720.1 expresses fastener capacity in the form:

Nj
k1k13k14k16k17 Qk
=
=
k1k13k14k16k17 Qk
Where
Nj
design capacity on an individual fastener
=
Qk
=
characteristic capacity
k1
=
duration factor
k13
=
end/side grain factor
k14
=
double/single shear factor
k16
=
side plate factor
k17
=
multiple fastener factor

for nails (1)

for screws (2)

The load, N*, acting on an individual fastener is given by:

N*
qdx
qdy
qmx
qmy
Where
Fx
Fy
n
M
xm ,ym
lp
ri
rm 2

[qdx + qmx )2 + (qdy + qmy )2 ]

=
=
=
=

Fx /n
Fy /n
My m /lp
Mxm /lp

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

direct force in the x direction

direct force in the y direction
number of fasteners in the joint
moment acting on the joint
x, y coordinate distances to nail furthest from joint centroid
polar moment of area of nail group
ri 3/2 rm 1/2
polar distance to the ith fastener
xm 2 + ym 2

(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

In addition to depending on Joint Group, the
characteristic capacities for nails and screws
depend on their diameter.
The basic
capacities for steel nails and screws are given
in Tables 4.1 4.7 of AS 1720. No data is
provided
for
other
material
types.
Manufacturers test data should be consulted if
these are being used.
The shear capacity of screws in end-grain is
rated as 60% to the capacity of side grain
driven screws and the modification factor K13
accounts for end grain effects.

It should be noted that:

nails have 25% withdrawal capacity
when hand driven only into end-grain.
A minimum of 2 nails shall be used.
screws driven into end-grain have their
withdrawal capacities reduced to 60
percent of the side grain capacities.
withdrawal capacities for nails and
screws are given respectively by Tables
4.2 and 4.6 of AS 1720.1
For Type 17 screws, manufacturers
catalogues should be consulted for
withdrawal capacities.
AS 1684.2 and AS 1684.3 also gives
withdrawal capacities for nails and
screws for short duration wind loads.
Fastener Spacings
The fastener spacings specified in AS 1720.1,
for nails driven, respectively, directly into wood
and into pre-drilled holes are scheduled in
Table 6 for connections in rectangular patterns.
The intent of AS 1720.1, is for these spacings
to apply to rectangular patterns of nails as
illustrated in Figure 3 and that they apply
irrespective of timber type.
It is generally
accepted this is reasonable with hardwood to
hardwood connections but that softwood to
softwood connections (density 560 kg/m3 or
less) can employ closer spacings. The closer
spacings in Table 6 are from the New Zealand
Code NZS 3603.

Nails driven through pre-drilled holes in

metal connectors provide efficient
connections
Withdrawal Loads
Withdrawal loads depend on the length of
driving, the type of fastener and whether or not
the fastener is driven into end or side grain. It
is recommended that, wherever possible, a
joint should be constructed with nails acting in
shear rather than in tension. In a variety of
situations this is not possible eg. with the fixing
of roof and wall sheeting and battens. In such
situations and especially where strong wind
uplift occurs the recommendations of sheeting
suppliers should be carefully followed.
In
cyclonic areas, Type 17 screws tend to be
used for roof sheeting and batten fixing.

Staggered patterns (refer Figure 3) are

sometimes used in forming nailed plywood
moment connections in portal frames. In such
joints the practice has been to adopt the
staggered pattern at the 20d along grain, and
10d across grain spacing but to use double the
number of rows. Experience shows that this
works well, a fact supported by research by
TRADA in the UK.

FIGURE 3 NAILING PATTERNS

TABLE 6

FASTENER SPACINGS
AS 1720.1
(All Species)
Along Grain
Across Grain
Directly driven
20d
10d
Pre-drilled
10d
3d

NZS 3603
Softwood (density < 560 kg/m3)
Along Grain
Across Grain
12d
5d
10d
5d

10

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

Connection Design

Once the number of fasteners has been

computed, the joint detailing can be finalised.

Direct Force Connections

In connections where members cross one

another at 90 or some angle approaching 90,
the loads involved are usually not large. In
such cases the nails can be staggered or, if the
loads are large, then the options are to:

Shear Type
The design of connections subject to direct forces
is straightforward.
The allowable force per
fastener Q is obtained by equation 1 or 2 for
nails/staples and screws respectively and use of
the relevant tables in AS 1720.1, for the
characteristic values Q k . The number of fasteners
is calculated by dividing the total load for the most
critical load combination by the fastener capacity.

use a single or single line of higher

capacity fasteners such as bolts, split-rings
or shear-plates, and/or seasoned timber
use special proprietary fasteners such as
joist hangers.

Example 1
Assume a splice joint is to carry the tension forces PDL = 4 kN, PLL = 3 kN in 90 x 35 mm seasoned
softwood Joint Group JD4.
The load duration factor k1, for 1.25 DL + 1.5 LL is 0.77. The equivalent DL value is (1.25 x 4 + 1.53 x
3)/0.77 = 12.34. The DL + LL combination will control the design. Use 3.3 diameter nails; Qk = 885 N
(interpolated from AS 1720.1 Table 4.1(b)) and 25 mm side plates.

N j

= 0.85 () x 0.77 ( k1) x 2 (k14 ) x 0.85 (k 1 7) x 885 (Qk )

= 985 N

Minimum Nail Length

= 9.5 x 103/985
= 9.6 (Use 10 nails)
= 2 x 25 + 35
= 85 mm (Use 90 mm nails)

For a splice joint it is a simple matter to avoid any possibility of cross-grain shrinkage induced splitting by
use of double side plates on each side, refer Figure 5, but this is normally unnecessary, for seasoned or a
low shrinkage timber.
The recommended joint is illustrated in Figure 4. The joint of Figure 5 could be considered for metal splice
plates where shrinkage may be of concern e.g., with unseasoned ash type hardwoods.

FIGURE 4 SPLICE USING SINGLE TIMBER

SIDE PLATES

FIGURE 5 SPLICE USING DOUBLE STEEL

SIDE PLATES

11

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

Example 2
Assume a joist is to be suspended at midspan and that the forces acting are PDL = 1 kN, PLL = 2 kN.
Refer Figure 6. The DL + LL combination is critical. Using the same nails as chosen in Example 1.
Nj

= 0.85 () x 0.77 (k 1 ) x 2 (k14 ) x 0.94 (k 1 7) x 885 (Qk )

= 1089 N

= 4250/1089
= 3.9

(Say 4 nails)

The joint layout recommended on the assumption that little shrinkage will take place is illustrated in Figure
6.
Where cross-grain shrinkage in the horizontal 90 x 35 mm member is likely to be of concern, the
alternative is to use larger capacity fasteners such as a single bolt or a proprietary joist hanger. Refer
Figure 7. For some loads and timber sizes, it may be possible to support the load on staggered fasteners;
such as illustrated in Figure 8.

FIGURE 6 CROSS-JOINT FOR SEASONED

OR LOW SHRINKAGE TIMBER

Nail lamination of two timber members can

provide an effective means of making a
large solid section

FIGURE 7 CROSS-JOINT FOR HIGH

SHRINKAGE TIMBER

FIGURE 8 CROSS-JOINT FOR HIGH

SHRINKAGE TIMBER

12

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

Axial Type
Nail and screws act in withdrawal mode when used to fix roof sheeting or roof battens.
Example 3
Consider roof battens at 900 mm centres spanning 600 mm between hardwood rafters of Queensland
non-Ash Eucalyptus (J2 Joint Group) and supporting metal sheet roofing. Assume that 63 m/s is the
design gust regional wind velocity and that Cpt = 1.8.
= 0.6 x 10-3 x 632 x 1.8 = 4.33 kPa

qz

Ignoring sheeting and batten dead weight, each batten support point is loaded by a force = 4.33 x 0.9 x 0.6
= 2.34 kN.
Using manufacturers literature or Table 4.8 of AS 1720.1, a Number 14 size Type 17 screw is adopted.
The minimum depth of penetration is computed from Table 4.6 (A) which develops 100 N per mm of
penetration. The withdrawal capacity of a Number 14 size Type 17 screw
Nj

= 0.85 () x 1.0 (k 13 ) x lp x 1.0 (n) x 100 = 85 lp N

Required penetration:

2340
= 27.5 mm
85

Say 30 mm.

Moment Connections
In practice, moment connections are usually only used to form the joints of portal frames. While such
joints are subject to both direct forces and moment, the latter dominates and the joint may be designed, for
preliminary sizing purposes, for the moment only.
According to AS 1720.1, the force in the nail most distant from the nail group centroid is computed using
the formula:
M rm
Mrm
q = Mrm =
1.5 =
Ip
rm ri
ri1.5
The depth, d, is established by design of the frame and this, in turn, fixes one dimension of the joint. The
other dimension, l, is most rapidly estimated on the basis of formulae derived by assuming the nail is
smeared as shown in Figure 9 and has a shear capacity given by 2Q/s1s2 for staggered patterns and,
because of the lower nail density, Q/s1s2 for rectangular patterns. The design criteria are therefore:

for staggered patterns

M rm
2Q
= 1.5
S1S 2
r dA

for rectangular patterns

M r
Q
= 1.5 m
S 1S 2
r dA

(8)

(9)

The integral can only be evaluated by quadrature which, for staggered patterns and using the Gaussian
formula, leads to:
2Q/S1 S2
= 4.81M(l 2+d2 )0.25/ld[(l 2+d2)0.75-gh(g2 l2+h2 d2 )0.75]
(10)
It is common to select g and h which control the size of the vacant central position using g = h = 0.7 which
reduces the expression for staggered patterns to:

13

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

2Q/S1 S2

= 6.75 M/ld

l2 + d2 )

(11)

This equation is non-linear in l and is solved by substituting trial values of l into the right hand side until it
equals the left hand side. Refer Example 4.
A further consideration in joints of this type is the level of joint shear. In a portal joint, a very rapid build up
of bending stress occurs over the length of the gusset. The joint shear is given by:
fsj = 1.5 M/bd = 1.5M/lbd

(12)

FIGURE 9 IDEALISED MODEL OF NAILED MOMENT CONNENCTION USED FOR PRELIMINARY

SIZING

Example 4
Assume that a 532 x 80 mm, Douglas fir, glued laminated beam carries the following factored dead and
live load moments:
MDL
=
26.1 kNm
MDL + LL
=
68.6 kNm
The dead load plus live load moment is equivalent to a dead load moment of 68.6/0.77 = 89.1 kNm and
hence the MDL + LL value controls. If 3.15 diameter nails are used then Q = 810 N (Table 4.1 B). Assume
the nails are placed in a staggered pattern at spacings 60 mm and 30 mm along and across the grain
respectively:
j
= 0.8() x 0.77 (k 1 ) x 1.1 (k 16 ) x 1.2 (k 17 ) x 810
= 659 N
and 2Q/s1s2
d

= 2 x 659/60x30 = 0.73 MPa

= 532 mm

The right hand side of the appropriate formulae is computed for l = 1000, 900, 800 mm where M = 0.5 x
68.6 kNm since there are two nail groups sharing the joint moment.
l
1000
900
(685)
650

2Q/S1S2
0.73
0.73
0.73
0.73

6.75 M/ld (l2=d 2)0.5

0.384
0.463
(0.733)
0.797

14

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

with the solution being l = 685 mm by interpolation.
Since neither part nor an odd number of nail rows can be used, N = int (685/60) = 11.41, we use 12
columns. After allowances for end distances, the gusset length required is 810 mm.
Choose a dimension l = 930 mm. After laying out the joint, it is possible to refine the design using the
actual nail positions.

Computer Design of Moment Joints

The simplest method for designing moment joints
is to use a computer program. Assume that the
program used in this instance indicates that dead
plus live load is the critical condition and produces
the output below.

Gusset Detail
Length 11 of gusset

= 810 mm

Nail Details
Nail diameter
Basic nail capacity

= 3.15 mm
= 810N JD4 Joint
Group

Number of gusset nails

Along grain spacing
Across grain spacing

= 236 per side

= 60 mm
= 30 mm

Output from the computer program is given in

Figure 10.

Joint Shear
The beam is a 532 mm x 80 mm Douglas fir of
Strength Group SD5.
fsj

= 1.5M/dbI1
= 1.5 x 68.6 x 106/532 x 80 x 810
= 3.0 MPa

From Table 2.3A of AS 1720:

Fsj
Fsj

= 6.1 MPa
= 6.1 x 0.8 () x 0.97 (K 1)
= 4.7 MPa

Hence joint shear presents no difficulty.

FIGURE 10 GUSSET DETAIL FOR EXAMPLE 4

Specifications
For detailed specification clauses, reference
should be made to Datafile SP1, TIMBER
SPECIFICATIONS.
The following is a check list of some items
which should be included in the specifications
of fasteners/joints or alternatively, indicated on
plans:

Fastener type
Fastener size/length etc.
Number of fasteners, spacings etc.
Material/protection e.g. galvanised,
stainless steel
Joint group of timber
Workmanship
Pre-drilling where appropriate

15

TIMBER JOINT DESIGN-2

Other References
1. AS 2334, STEEL NAILS METRIC
SERIES
Standards Australia.
2. AS 1720.1, SAA TIMBER STRUCTURES
CODE
Standards Australia.
3. AS 3566, SCREWS SELF DRILLING
FOR THE BUILDING AND
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES
Standards Australia.
4. AS 1476, METRIC WOOD SCREWS
Standards Australia.
5. MECHANICAL FASTENERS FOR
STRUCTURAL TIMBER WORK
TRADA (UK) Wood Information, Section
2/3, Sheet 9.
6. AS 1684.2 and As 1684.3 Residential
Timber Framed Construction.
Machine nailing of multiple nail joints is
structurally efficient and allows on-site
tolerances.

Nail fixing of cladding depends on cladding

and framing type

16