Reports

Published in August 2000, a report on "Load Duration and Seasoning Effects on Mortise and Tenon Joints" by Dick Schmidt and Garth School at the University of Wyoming is available to Guild members.

Thanks to both authors for their newest report on timber frame joints. Major sponsor of the work is the USDA National Research Initiative/Competitive Grants Program, the Timber Frame Business Council, and the Timber Framers Guild.

Abstract

The objective of this research is to determine the load duration and seasoning effects on mortise and tenon joints in tension. Design of mortise and tenon joints is currently beyond the scope of the National Design Specification for Wood Construction. This and previous research have been conducted to find minimum detailing requirements for joints of this type. Load duration research served a dual purpose in verifying the previously established detailing requirements and finding the load duration and seasoning effects on mortise and tenon joints. In order to determine these effects, we conducted load duration tests on full-size mortise and tenon joint specimens. Drawboring and peg diameter effects were also analyzed in the long-term load study. Strength tests were performed at the conclusion of long-term testing to find the resulting effects due to long-term loading. A method of analyzing combined dowel bearing material properties of the base material and pegs was also studied.