Laterally Loaded Nail Joints in Wood

Abstract

Finite element analysis of laterally loaded nails is shown to give accurate load deformation relationships for a variety of nail joint details. Analytical results are in good agreement with experimental tests. Nonlinear nail and wood material properties from simple tests on nails and on the wood are used as input for the analyses. Analytical results for a wide range of joint details are presented. The results indicate how basic design‐code values should be modified to allow for differences in behavior between nail plate joints with thick steel, thin steel, or plywood joint plates. The effects of factors, such as nail head size and shape as well as direction of loading with respect to the wood grain, are also considered.