Estimation method of tensile performance of the shear keyed joint in traditional column to beam joints

The tensile performance of Japanese traditional wood-to-wood joint connected by inclined shear key was studied. Firstly series of full scale joint tests were carried out to grasp load carrying capacity and deformation phenomena. Then mechanical model was proposed especially focusing on the equilibrium of load and moment around shear key. The reaction forces which caused the split failure at both tip and bottom of the slit for spline were calculated based on elemental beam theory. Finally equations to estimate the stiffness and strength of the joint were introduced. The calculated bi-linear curves of load-displacement relationship satisfactory evaluated the test results by the safe side.